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White Sox Thu Sep 03 2009
White Sox Get Last Laugh In Metrodome
After years of anguish and many, many, many headaches in Minnesota, the White Sox played their last game in the Metrodome and came away with a rare victory. Just mention the word Metrodome to any Sox fan, player, manager, broadcaster, front office personnel, general manager or owner and their response would start with a groan and end with several expletives.
However, after years of torment in that building, the Sox left there smiling for once. Their record there indicates how miserable it has been for them, more so the last few years. They went 84-114 since 1982, losing 19 of their final 24 games there. They finished 1-8 in the Metrodome last year and finished 2-7 this year.
Perhaps it is a sign of things to come for the Southsiders when they return there next season. As for the game itself, the Sox were trailing late in this one. Two to zero in the top of the ninth to be exact. It looked as if the Twins were going to sweep the Sox and add to an already disappointing road trip; a sweep at the hands of the Twins in Minnesota would've been the cherry on top.
However, it was not to be. With two outs and two strikes Gordon Beckham launched a solo homer off of Twins closer Joe Nathan. Could it be that one of the game's best closers was going to cough one up? Paul Konerko answered with a resounding yes. Konerko took a 3-2 pitch and launched it into the left field stands to tie it up at 2-2. Alexei Ramirez would single in the go-ahead run later in the inning.
Over the last few years it seemed the Twins provided the dramatics late in ball games, but it was the Sox turn this time around to play spoiler. The only downside of this victory is that Mark Buehrle is still winless since pitching a perfect game back on July 23. He's 0-4 with a 5.44 ERA. Definitely not something you'd expect after his brilliant performance against the Rays.
Despite being 2-8 on this road trip, they return home to take on their crosstown rivals in a make up game, which was rained out back in June. While it may not have the same intensity it did several months back it will provide some interesting drama late in the season. Both teams are struggling to stay alive in their respective races, a win for the Sox will give them the series edge 4-2.
Sox Rookie Carlos Torres (0-0) will take on the Cubs Ryan Dempster (8-7). Game time is at 1:20pm.
