Somewhere in the bowels of U.S. Cellular Field, Sox pitcher Javier Vazquez is pacing the floor, pausing only occasionally to thrust a clenched fist into the sky and yell, “Teahen!”
In his second-straight start against the Royals, Vazquez was burned by Kansas City’s rookie third baseman Mark Teahen who hit a key two-run homer last night in the Royals 4-2 win over the White Sox. Just two weeks ago, Teahen had another two-run homer off Vazquez in a 7-3 win over the Sox at Kauffman Stadium.
With the game tied at two in the sixth, Teahen came up after Mark Grudzielanek’s single. Teahen stroked a Vazquez pitch to center, where just barely clearing the outfield wall and Sox center fielder Brian Anderson’s glove. It made it though, and the Royals took a two-run lead.
To be sure, the loss wasn’t all Vazquez’s fault. The Sox’ hitters couldn’t get any offense going all game against starting pitcher Runelvys Hernandez. Additionally, newbie closer Joe Nelson pitched a perfect final inning, thus silencing any thoughts the Sox might have had about pulling off one of their patented comebacks.
Number of the Night: 20
Consecutive sellout crowds at U.S. Cellular Field after last night’s game.
