It doesn't matter if it was the Cubs, the Twinkies or the Nationals, yesterday's Sox game sucked.  Up 5-1 in the bottom of the eighth, Scott Linebrink turned into a batting practice pitcher, serving up two gopher balls and forcing a 5-5 tie.  The Cubs then untied it in the bottom of the ninth and won the game 6-5.

It also didn't help things that the Tigers and Twinkies both won and the Sox are back to
4 games behind Detroit and 2 games behind the Twinkies. 

If Hawk Harrelson's theory is correct and there are 42 games a season that make a difference, the White Sox have used up another one of their mulligans.

Some observations:

• Don't blame: The umpires:  Even though home plate umpire Bruce Dreckman clearly missed a strike three call on Alfanso Soriano in the bottom of the eighth, which eventually resulted in a single, Linebrink still retired both Ryan Theriot and Milton Bradley before surrendering consecutive home runs to Derrick Lee and Geovany Soto.  Remember one of my baseball truths: While a blown call can change a ballgame, it can only result in defeat if it is on the last play of the game.
• Don't blame: Chris Getz:  Stuff happens.  It was the first hitter of the inning.  Linebrink could have pitched his way out of it. The kid had a key hit in the top of the eighth and was largely responsible, at that point, for the Sox having the lead in the first place.
• Blame: Scott Linebrink:  I watched Linebrink pitch part of the '07 season in Milwaukee and I told you when the Sox signed him that I was a bit confused.  Yesterday, he looked like a bigger version of Mike MacUseless.  He served up room service pitches better than a five star hotel. BTW, the last time Linebrink was anywhere near the top five in the league in holds (his specialty) was 2006.  It is entirely possible that he's jumped the shark.
• Blame: Ozzie Guillen: After managing one of his best games Wednesday, Ozzie sat and fiddled while Rome went up in flames.  Sometimes you have to realize somebody doesn't have it and move him from the equation quickly rather than after the horse is in the pasture.
• Don't Blame: Pink Floyd.  He didn't have his best stuff yesterday, but pitched on guts and guile for seven innings.  A win is a terrible thing to waste.
• Don't Blame: The Savior.  His first multiple hit game, his first important RBI and a four game hitting streak.  Don't  look now, but if he keeps this up, he may get past the Mendoza line by late next week.
• Blame: Matt Thornton.  He came out with a blank slate in the ninth inning yet only got one guy out.  Not a good outing for the guy who people say will be the closer if Bobby Jenks gets traded.  Especially when the guy who got the winning hit has a .125 average this month.

So there you go.  Reds tonight in Cincy.  The big question is if Jose Contreras pitches another gem, can the pen hold it down, especially in a ballpark known as a launching pad.

Lighting Round

• Memo to Chris DeLuca.  You're not Mariotti.  You're not Greg Couch.  You're not even Mike Downey.  Knock it off.
• He ain't heavy, he's my brother who spells his name with a "y" just like me.
• Rickhouse also noticed the two things that I thought were the most interesting yesterday: Hawk's "HELL YES:" call on The Cuban Missile's home run (I even replayed the TIVO to make sure I heard it right) and the Cubs celebrating like they won a championship (the same crap they pulled on Sunday when they won against the Twinkies.) (Tremendous Upside Potential)
• The world famous blogger JROD was also annoyed by the Sox snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. (Midwest Sports fans)
• Jose Contreras admits he enjoys hanging out with Castro.
• Having had the day from hell, Jim hallucinates. (Sox Machine)
• What would a Sox-Cubs game be without hearing from our hero and role model. (Rosenblog)
• White Sox farm hand Carlos Torres pitches a 5 inning, rain shortened perfect game.  I'm sure callers to the post game show on the Score will be demanding he be brought up immediately.
• Larry has the latest update on White Sox promotions and no, we don't mean Scott Linebrink bobble arm night. (South Side Sox)