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* My ticket to last night’s ballgame listed the matchup as “World Champsions” vs. “White Sox.” Well, the St. Louis Cardinals didn’t play much like champs last night…

After dropping two of three to the Houston Astros, Paul Konerko said the Chicago White Sox were looking to get back on track as quickly as possible Tuesday night against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Konerko had three hits to lift his major-league best average to .373, and teammates A.J. Pierzynski and Adam Dunn homered to lead the White Sox to a 6-1 win. […]

Quintana (2-1), making his fifth start, allowed a career-high 10 hits but did not issue a walk and was helped out by three double plays.

“That’s actually what I was looking for,” Quintana said through an interpreter. “The double plays were going to get me out of the inning and I was able to get them.”

White Sox manager Robin Ventura said that Quintana, who is filling in for the injured John Danks, has earned at least one more start.

Is a sweep in the, um, cards? Discuss.

…Adding… The Cardinal fans I was with didn’t appreciate me singing this song after the game last night. Oh well…

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 9:21 am

Comments

Why is it that Chicago baseball fans, year after year, gauge whether their team is having a successful season based on that team’s performance at Busch Stadium?

Sweep? Could be. In the Cards? Geez…havent’ ever seen it written like that before.

Yes, the Sox are hot and and I do believe that’s a good thing. But it is a loooong season.

Comment by Deep South Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 9:27 am
DS, give it a rest. It’s all meant to be fun. And you guys suck. Sorry.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 9:31 am
I’ve been really impressed with Kenny Williams this year. He’s a guy where you look at him and what he does and try really hard to figure out what he’s doing or thinking, but it ends up working more often than not. The Yankees, who have had a pretty good track record of at least finding young pitching talent-developing it has been another story, are apparently shocked at this Quintana kid’s success who they let go as a fringe prospect last year. I think the new wild card thing is incredibly stupid, but who knows with this team and what they could do.

Comment by Shore Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 9:32 am
Konerko 3 for 4, average at .373. Dunn booms one a mile. Another young arm wins on the mound.

Oh, life is good. Enjoy it while we got it.

The Redbirds are too good to be swept.

Comment by mark walker Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 9:35 am
Don’t know about a sweep, but I’m thrilled to see Dick Allen back in Chicago and mending fences with the Sox.

As a kid out on the farm, my older brothers (big Cubs fans) would make me do handstands with the rabbit ears so we could get in Channel 44 and watch Dick Allen hit.

He was a monster five-tool player and a real cool cat to boot. His time at Old Cominskey was way too short.

He played much of his career in an era of dominating pitching (baseball lowered the mound in 1969). His career stats: .292 average, 351 homers, 1,119 RBI.

He deserves a new look from the Vets Committee for the Hall of Fame. He was one of the most feared hitters of his time.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 9:36 am
I was amazed by the amount of cardinals fans in tshirt jerseys last night. They love their players but not enough to committ to a jersey that costs over $15. I was shaking my head until I saw a woman in a Nick Swisher jersey and then the tshirts didn’t seem quite as rediculous.

Comment by Fred Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 9:46 am
As a Cards fan, I can tell you that yes, a sweep a distinct possibility.

Comment by Aaron Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 9:55 am
Not a sweep, but a series win to help get back on track. What a turnaround though! AJ has nearly as many homers through 60 games or so as he did all of last season. Dunn has OMG 21 homers. And someone woke up Rios! And Konerko leading the AL?

Comment by Mongo Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 9:56 am
Anything can happen in a short series. I’m just glad inter league play has forced Rich to acknowledge the storied NL franchise exists, even if only temporarily.

Comment by Hawkeye Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 10:02 am
As a long time White Sox fan, I am loving how well they are playing under Ventura at this point in the season.

As a long time White Sox fan, I am dreading what they will do to themselves come September. Too often I’ve gotten my hopes only to have them evaporate by the first week of September.

I take solace in the fact that no matter what, the White Sox will always be better then the Cubs.

Comment by Dee Lay Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 10:05 am
White Sox are much better than I thought they would be at the beginning of the year. AL continues to dominate NL overall.

Comment by Stones Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 10:10 am
As a former baseball fan, I still hate interleague games. But it was surprising to see the number of people in Detroit gear walking towards Wrigley last night.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 10:13 am
Root to the 4 ….White Sox!!!!!!!!!

Comment by amalia Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 10:16 am
Always great to see a great rivalry developing. This one between the sox/cards features real baseball, unlike when either of us face our other rival, and we only get to see one major league team playing the cubs.

Comment by downstate hack Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 10:26 am
All long as the Cards keep putting Rzepczynski on the mound, “every” team they play has a chance for a sweep!

Comment by Ready To Get Out Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 10:32 am
Yes, Rich, it is supposed to be fun. But what’s the matter…can’t take a little blow-back when it comes to your favorite team?

You know, it wasn’t too many weeks ago when the Cards were in first and it looked like the NL Central Division was all but over while the Sox were struggling in the middle of the pack in their division.

Comment by Deep South Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 10:37 am
The Cards have a wonderful past, the Sox may have the better present and future.

I do worry about their laid back, anti-Ozzie style rookie manager - and how he will do under the pressure of September if my Sox are still in it. But Konerko as captain will step in if necessary.

Comment by Capitol View Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 10:41 am
The difference between Cards fans and Chicago baseball fans: Perspective. Cards have sucked lately and can still win their division. Still REALLY early. Don’t really get worked up over individual series games until October, when it counts. Although its easy to understand how that would be difficult for Chicago fans to comprehend.

Comment by Amuzing Myself Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 10:43 am
No sweep. But lets be real, October is football season in Chicago. The baseball season is typically long over by then. (it is already over on the North Side)

Sox are looking good and good for them. Cards are fighting a lot of injuries. As long as they stay in the mix through the break they will be fine.

Comment by the Patriot Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 10:57 am
Its cute that you got to see the White Sox win a game in St. Louis.

Comment by John A Logan Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 11:25 am
The Cards are stumbling right now and the Sox have been hot, you are catching them at a good time Rich. Have you been to the new Busch Stadium before and what did you think of it?

Comment by Stooges Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 12:10 pm
Never been to the new stadium. Went to the old stadium several times. A really good friend of mine was killed in a motorcycle accident several years ago. He was from the STL area. After he died, I stopped going to the city. I’ve started again, in earnest.

Bought some good seats for tonight, too. I like the new stadium. I’ll be back.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 12:12 pm
Yes Rich, given the current plethora of injuries, the Sox are playing well against the Cardinals AAA team right now.

Comment by Kerfuffle Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 12:28 pm
The new Cards stadium is way cool. They know and love their baseball down there.

We used to go to St. Louis every spring for travel ball tournaments. They were sending the beer carts (Bud products, of course) among the fields, and tapping the kegs at 11 a.m. on Sundays.

We’re taking ten and twelve year old games here. Much obliged.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 1:08 pm
I was born and will always be a Cards fan.

But I love the Sox too.

If we must be swept, it couldn’t be by a better bunch of ballplayers.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 2:09 pm
And the Cards did not play much like champs for entire season last year except for September… It’s a marathon.. not a sprint.

Comment by Chimney Dave Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 2:18 pm
Rich
Nice spot south of the ballpark for pregaming is the Broadway Oyster Bar. Cold beverages and great food

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 2:36 pm
This years Sox team has been a pleasant surprise, and yes now with the extra wild card team things look very optimistic heading into the rest of the year. While I know, agree, and sympathize with fellow Sox fans who have seen too many teams fade at the end of the season; just remember where we all thought this team was going to be this year.

Everything is gravy for the 2012 Sox. Enjoy the ride.

Comment by Baines 4 Prez Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 3:07 pm
It must confuse Cardinal fans to see a good baseball team from Chicago.

Comment by In 630 Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 3:10 pm
It was a fantastic game last night. Dunn hit that HR so far! I hope Adam has come out of what ever was ailing him last year (maybe it was Ozzie?) Maybe the tension between Ozzie and Kenny affected the team last year? Robin is a more low pressure sort of manager.

I was worried after Spring training but the Sox look good now!

Comment by 3rd Generation Chicago Native Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 4:39 pm
Looks like the Sox had some Special “K” forr dinner tonight. That was an odd choice. Put the broom back in the closet Rich! Go Cards !

Comment by Holdingontomywallet Wednesday, Jun 13, 12 @ 9:42 pm