Carlos Rodon hadn't pitched in a game since Aug. 3. His career can best be described as "injury-riddled," and injuries have limited him to three appearances this season -- the third of which came in relief Thursday night.
Carlos Rodon
And given that he hadn't pitched since Aug. 3, it was not fair to him to drop him into a bases-loaded situation in the seventh inning, trying to protect a 4-1 lead, in a game the White Sox really needed to win for the AL Central race.
Predictably, Rodon didn't get it done. He gave up a two-run single to Cesar Hernandez and a two-run double to Jose Ramirez. Indians win, 5-4, and they sweep the four-game series from the Sox.
I can't be mad at Rodon. He shouldn't have been placed in that situation, and I'm tired of pondering all the stupid things the Sox do to cost themselves. What else can you say?
The Minnesota Twins now lead the AL Central by one game over the Sox. The Indians are two back. Minnesota hosts Cincinnati this weekend. The Sox host the Cubs. The Indians have the easiest series of all, three against the 18-39 Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Sox led the division by three games with 10 to play just a week ago. Now, they've lost control of their destiny in this race. They need to sweep the Cubs and hope the Twins lose one in order to win the division.
Doubt it. As we've said many times, Sox brass doesn't know what the hell they are doing. The players need to overcome the bad decision-making, and that's hard to do. Oh well.
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