If you were one of the brave souls that chose to watch it, last night's 4-3 White Sox loss to Texas was a microcosm of all that is wrong with this team.

The Sox got three runs early on a two run first inning homer by Paul Konerko and a solo shot in the third from Jim Thome.  That was it for the offense.  That's pattern number one: Score before the seventh inning and try to hang on.

In the fifth, with the Sox up 3-1, Pink Gavin Floyd gave up a two run two out homer.  That's pattern number two: Runs given up with two outs.

In the top of the eighth, the Sox loaded the bases with nobody out.  Juan Uribe swung at the first pitch and grounded to short, forcing the runner at home.  Pattern number three: Juan Uribe swings at anything.
Next up was Danny Richar, who grounded into a double play ending the inning.  Pattern number four: Bases loaded and none out situations are not taken advantage of.

In the bottom of the eighth, Ozzie brought in Mike MacUselessDougal.  He gave up a lead off single to Michael Young, who then took second on a wild (and beleive me, it was wild pitch.)  He then gave up a single to Marlon Byrd which gave Texas the lead and the game.  Pattern number five: If your releif pitcher's name isn't Jenks, you can't depend on him.

So, there you have it.  An early lead, squandered by careless two out pitching, Uribe up hacking not helping the team, an inning ending double play in a game situation and another failed appearance by the bullpen.  Just a normal day at the office for this year's squad.

Oh, by the way.  The Royals beat the Tigers and now have a two game lead over the Sox in the battle for the basement.

White Sox Baseball: These kids suck.

Lightning Round

• The Brewers are similar to the White Sox in that they score early and can't hold a lead.  They were getting a great starting effort from Jeff Supan last night until the seventh when he started the inning by hitting Cliff Floyd with a pitch.  Brewers Manager Ned Yost removed Supan in favor of the Brewers big trade deadline acquisition, Scott Linebrink, who promptly gave up a single to Mark DeRosa and a game tying double to Jacques Jones. Then with two outs and a chance to get out of the inning, Linebrink, never to be confused with Greg Maddux, misplayed a chopper in front of the mound by Ryan Theriot and Jones came across with the go ahead run.  Linebrink further compounded the situation when he gave up an RBI single to Derrick Lee,  making it 5-3 and ending his night.  The line on Linebrink 2/3 of an inning, 3 hits, 3 earned runs.  Since the Genius and the Cardinals clobbered Houston, the Brewers are now in third place, 2½ behind the Cubs and ½ behind The Genius and the Cardinals.  Ben Sheets comes off the DL to pitch for the Brewers, but it may be like finding a life preserver on the Titantic hours after it hit the iceberg.  As for Ned Yost, I think maybe Doug Melvin may be ordered to execute him after the season if the Brewers don't win the division.  And they won't win the division.
• T he look how bad the White Sox are in just two years stories are beginning.
• Lance Briggs says he panicked at the accident scene, called a tow truck and left.  Briggs further said he "didn't want a scene there."  Meaning what Lance?  You didn't want the media to know you wrecked your car?  You didn't want to blow into a tube?  You didn't want to take a field sobriety test?  What scene do you mean Lance?  I find Briggs' explanation plausible, but not credible and lacking key detail.  By addressing the media yesterday, Briggs made his actions more suspicious.  And where, by the way, is Drew Rosenhaus?
• The NCAA has denied athletic eligibility to Ole Miss defensive tackle Jerrell Powe, but will let him keep his scholarship to attend classes.  Powe, who has a learning disability, has an attorney working the case.  His lawyer is threatening to sue uner the "Americans with disabilities act."  Meanwhile, if you are Ole Miss, why do you want to burn one of your precious scholarships on a guy who probably will wind up being Eric Swan?  More proof Coach O will be leaving Oxford shortly and not by his own choosing.
• The Tennessee Volunteers open their season against #12 California on Saturday.  Their starting QB, Eric Ainge may not play due to a sprained pinky.  In a critical season for Vols coach Phillip Fulmer, this is not how he envisioned getting under way.
• 
  Darth Visor hopes his QB doesn't live up to his name on Saturday.
• A little ca$h, a little kung pao chicken and viola, Yi Jianlian finally signs to play in Milwaukee. 
  
• The Cardinals Memphis farm team had to forfeit a game to Iowa because  they used an ineligible player.  Don't these minor leaguers ever show up to class?
• If you paint yourself red from the top of your head to your waist, DO NOT make a bigger spectacle of yourself.
• To the surprise of no-one, astronut Lisa Nowack is pleading insanity.
• If you are a defense lawyer in Milwaukee, best you not get anyone's goat.
• A man in Texas is forced by his homeowners association to remove solar lights he installed because he changed the landscape of his property with out consent form the association.  When we built the house we live in, we thought this is our property and our house and we can do what we want.  It turns out, owning a house in a subdivision with a homeowners association is like living in an apartment.  You can't change anything outside (even plant trees) without permission and approval.  There is something fundamentally wrong with this.
•  Today's list: Most commonly treated baseball injuries.