Saturday, the Sox lost to the Blue Jays 9-3. Jose Contreras pitched 6 1/3 innings and left the game with a 3-1 lead. But the bullpen struggled again, giving up 8 runs over 1 2/3 innings. Ozzie Guillen would look to shake up the bullpen once again soon. To say that the bullpen is going through a tough stretch right now would be an understatement. The relievers are 2-5 with a 9.06 ERA over their last 21 games. During that stretch, they have walked 37 batters and allowed 77 hits in 50 2/3 innings. 
On Sunday the Sox lost once again to the Blue Jays by a score of 4-3. The bullpen once again blew a lead. This time it was Nick Masset who gave up the lead in the sixth inning. Chicago's recent struggles in the bullpen have been well-documented. After opening the season with a 3.29 ERA over the first 27 games, White Sox relievers are 2-6 with a 9.06 in their last 22. Over that span, they have allowed 39 walks and 81 hits in just 53 2/3 innings. Ozzie Guillen might have reached his breaking point as well as he was tossed from the game for arguing with the umpire. 
On Monday, after losing consecutive games and having a horrible last week losing at total of 7 out of thier last 8 games, the Sox gladly welcomed the struggling Yankees into town. It was supposed to be the first major leaugue start this year for Roger Clemens. However he had a strained groin, a.ka. "old man groin", and did not pitch. Ozzie Guillen said, "I wanted Clemens to pitch. At least people might forget how bad we are pitching, at least for a day." But the Sox pitched well and took advantage of another young pitcher. Jim Thome hit his 480th homer, putting him at 25th all-time. The Sox had 10 hits, scored 4 runs and won 6-4. John Garland pitched 8 1/3 innings and the bullpen was able to hold a lead this time. Although they made it scary with errors, Bobby Jenks added his 16th save in 17 chances. If Jenks could pitch all the time, the bullpen would be fine. But that cannot be the case. The Sox (26-27) will try to beat the Yankees again tonight as Mark Burhle goes for carrer win #100 once again. The Bullpen also made some moves as struggling pitchers Mike MacDougal and David Aardsma were sent down to Triple-A Charlotte to work on thier mechanics. Brad Prinz and Ryan Bukvich were called up to replace them. Jerry Owens was also called up to replace Darin Erstad who went on the 15-day DL.  (Bukvich)  (Prinz)  (Owens)
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As for the Indians (34-21), they lost Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 9-2 to the Tigers and had a Day off Monday. They will start a set with the Royals tonight. Sabathia (8-1, 3.71 era) will pitch against De La Rosa (4-5, 4.97 era). The Tigers finally played the Indians tough in the final 2 games of the set as they scored a total of 18 runs on 30 hits. The Indians lead in the Central is at 2 1/2 games. Cliff Lee and Jeremy Sowers struggled as the Indians never got it going. Sowers has now tossed one quality start over his last six outings, a stretch in which the left-hander is 1-5 with an 8.34 ERA. What's more, the Tribe is 3-8 in games Sowers has started. I would not be surprised if he was sent down to Triple-A soon. 
The Cubs Lost on Saturday 5-3 to the Braves and Lou was ejected. Piniella did serve a one game suspension on Sunday and will not be in the dugout for the Cubs' three-game series against the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers, which began Monday night. This will be part of his 4-game suspension for touching the umpire during the tirade. On Sunday the Cubs won 10-1 without Lou and did the same on Monday 7-2. Soriano had five hits in Monday's game including a three run homer in the 7th to help with the comeback. The win also helped the Cubs gain a game on the Brewers. The Cubs are 24-31 and 6 1/2 games behind the Brewers. If they can keep this offense going and win the next two over the Brew crew, they will be back within striking distance. | 
