Game 1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... R H E
Houston 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 ... 3 7 1
Chicago 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 X ... 5 10 0
THE SERIES OPENER featured two former Yankee teammates: Roger Clemens and Jose Contreras. Then again, we needed a talking point going into this series other than "it's close," because nobody knew what to expect.
Chicago's Jermaine Dye began the series with the first run, a solo homer in the first inning. But Houston responded with its first baseman (no, not Jeff Bagwell, the other one) Mike Lamb hitting a homer of his own in the second.
And that lauded pitching duel took a different feel in the third inning, when Clemens was taken out in due to injury and gave way to rookie Wandy Rodriguez who found himself in the middle of a 3-3 game.
Then, in a live interview with Astros pitching coach Jim Hickey — who was talking about how throwing a rookie in a situation like this can sometimes show what a kid is made of — Rodriguez (0-1) gave up a home run to Joe Crede, putting the White Sox ahead 4-3, and they would never lose that lead.
The White Sox bullpen came into the game since Game 1 of the ALCS, which was also started by Contreras (1-0). Bobby Jenks notched the team's first save since he saved the clinching Game 3 of the ALCS back on Oct. 7.
Game 2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... R H E
Houston 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 2 ... 6 9 0
Chicago 0 2 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 ... 7 12 0
A GAME TWO in Chicago is notorious for wacky finishes. But this time, A.J. Pierzynski wasn't much of a factor.
Article comments
1 - DJRadiohead
There have already been more runs scored in Gm 1 and 2 than I thought would be scored all series long.
Hard to deny the Sox look like they are gonna take this one.
2 - Matthew T. Sussman
If Clemens injury persists, the Astros may be in even more trouble. They can't be too confident starting Wandy "Don't You Dare Call Me W-Rod" Rodriguez in a Game 5 or later but so often the scene switches and the team down 2-0 responds by winning all three at home.
See: World Series '96, '97, '01
3 - DJRadiohead
The only problem I see is that two of the big three bullets have been spent. You're right, it has happened before but the Sox are hot right now. Always follow the hot team- see Sox, Red from last year.
If HOU gets game three and Rocket is back for 5... maybe.
4 - Matthew T. Sussman
Their two ring bearers have been tapped, But Oswalt is starting Game 3. Backe may need some run support in Game 4, however.
But I bet they wish they didn't have to play Clemens in the opener. It was almost as cold (45) as he is old (43) and he just couldn't stay loose. If he doesn't make it in time for Game 5, I seriously question if he could start Game 6 or 7 if the conditions are just as bad. Hey may have to come in relief and start Rodriguez or Ezequiel Astacio. Ouch.
Houston's gonna seriously rue putting 11 pitchers on their roster