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World Series Notebook - Game 2 Forget Smalball; Chisox Play Long Ball Rick Gagliano | 10/24/05
In rain-drenched Chicago, Scott Podsednik broke a 6-6 tie with a solo home run in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the White Sox a commanding 2-0 World Series lead over the Houston Astros.
Podsednik's dramatic shot over the wall in right-center was the second homer for him in the postseason, after having hit none throughout the course of the regular season. The game-winner also marked the second time in six days that Houston's Brad Lidge has given up a game-winning home run. Lidge also allowed St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols to launch a three-run shot in game five of the NLCS. That homer sent the series back to St. Louis. This one sends the two teams south to Houston for games 3 and 4, and, if necessary, game 5.
Podsednik's shot might never have happened if not for a possible coaching blunder and some last inning heroics from the Houston squad.
With the Astros leading the game 4-2 heading into the bottom of the 7th, Houston manager Phil Garner decided that pitcher Andy Pettitte had given him all he could, holding the Sox to 2 runs on 8 hits. Pettitte had thrown 98 pitches (65 for strikes) but had not walked a batter. Still, Garner went ahead and made the move, bringing in Dan Wheeler to start the 7th.
After getting Joe Crede on a popout for the first out, Jose Uribe drove a pitch into the left-center gap for a stand-up double. Wheeler struck out Scott Podsednik, but then became unglued, walking 2nd baseman Iguchi and hitting Jermaine Dye with an up-and-in 3-2 pitch to load the bases. Garner argued the call on Dye, and replays clearly showed that the ball had hit his bat, not his forearm as called by the umpire. Nevertheless, Dye was awarded first base and Wheeler was sent to the showers.
Garner called on Chad Qualls to pitch to the Sox's most dangerous hitter, Paul Konerko, who wasted no time, depositing the first pitch into the left field bleachers for a grand slam and a 6-4 lead.
But the Astros weren't about to go quietly. After going hitless in the 8th against Cliff Polite, Jeff Bagwell singled to welcome Chicago reliever Bobby Jenks. Jenks then struck out Jason Lane, walked Chris Burke and coerced Brad Ausmus into a ground out to first base, which moved the runners to second and third. After Jose Vizcaino singled, plating both Bagwell and Burke to tie the game, Neal Cotts came in to get Mike Lamb on a routine fly ball to left to end the inning and set the stage for Podsednik.
If Houston has any chance of salvaging the series, it will be up to Oswalt to shut down the White Sox. He will be facing 18-game winner Jon Garland, who has pitched only once in the playoffs, twirling a 4-hit complete game gem against the Angels in game 3. The only damage done to Garland in that outing was a 2-run homer by Orlando Cabrera in the sixth inning, after the Sox had already raced out to a 5-0 lead.
As good as Oswalt has been, he may have to be even better in game 3. Garland is coming off a career year with personal bests for wins (18), shutouts (3), complete games (3), strikeouts (115) and fewest walks (47) and ERA (3.50) in his six years in the majors.
The White Sox also have plenty of well-rested arms in the bullpen if needed. Additionally, they've now won 9 of their last ten in the playoffs, with their only loss coming in game 1 of the ALCS. If Oswalt doesn't get Houston a win, this series could be over before the Astros get started.
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