Done

Another walk-off loss via the homerun, and all White Sox manager Mickey Mouse can say is, “It’s a tough loss, man. The toughest loss of the year, in my opinion.” [story on today’s team website] Mouse forgot the ugly part. The Sox were ahead of the Cubs 3-0 heading into the bottom of the eighth, but the score felt the reverse. Why? Because the Sox didn’t score in the top of the inning despite having the bases loaded and nobody out, heart of the order up. Some heart. Luis Robert Jr. struck out on three pitches from Micheal Fulmer. Next up, Yoan Moncada, also out on three pitches. After Moncada, Andrew Vaughn, who waited to strike out on the fifth pitch he saw from Fulmer. Sadly, there’s more. Like ex-Sox Nick Madrigal hitting a pinch homerun against, wait for it, Aaron Bummer, on an 0-2 pitch, no less. At that point it was just a matter of time before Mouse and company lost another one. Enter Gregory Santos. Double, walk, homerun, as simple as that. After the game, Santos admitted to reporters he should’ve thrown his best pitch, the slider, to Chritopher Morel instead of a 1-2 sinker. Ya think? But there’s enough blame to spread around here. Santos did just fine the night before, dominating over 1.2 innings for the save. He was either gassed, which falls on Mouse, or done in by his catcher calling for that sinker. Which falls on Mouse and Yasmani Grandal, take your pick. Speaking of Grandal, why was he even in the game at that point? It’s not like the Sox are going to re-sign him, and Carlos Perez is a better defensive option, with a chance of making the team next season. Last night was a chance to see how he could get his closer to the end line with a win intact. Nope, Mouse went with Grandal. As far as I’m concerned, the Sox can lose every game from now to the end of the season. Not for better draft position, but for Jerry Reinsdorf to reap what he’s spent decades sewing. Hawk Harrelson crawled out from under his rock to give an interview in today’s Sun-Times. In it, Harrelson said, “Nobody is hurting more than Jerry [Reinsdorf], I can guarantee you that.” I hope so. No one deserves it more.