Usually when you perform well at work, you are rewarded with more responsibility, a bigger office or the opportunity to do bigger things.  However this may not be the case for Sox lefty Clayton Richard.

With his team's back firmly against the wall last night, Richard, who was staked to four run first inning lead, answered the call and gave his team eight innings of one run baseball.  This coming off his last start where he also went eight innings. 

Prior to his last two starts, the White Sox issued Richard an ultimatum: Shape up or go back to the bullpen.  Richard has responded better than expected, which creates more of a dilemma for the Sox than an advantage.

In addition to the big three of Mark Buehrle, Pink Gavin Floyd and John Danks, the Sox also have to find a spot for veterans Jose Contreras and Bartolo Colon.  Both Contreras and Colon have been starters their entire career and asking them to step down and pitch out of the pen would be a poor use of resources.  In addition, both pitched well enough to win over the weekend, let down mostly by their offense and defense in Friday's doubleheader loss in Detroit.

So, what's a manager to do?

Do you thank Richard for his efforts, send him back to the pen and hope that if anyone goes down, he can step up again?  Does Jose Contreras suddenly get "arm fatigue" and take a 15 day trip to the DL, assuring Richard of at least two more starts?  Do you wait until Colon, who wouldn't pitch from the pen if you bought him a lifetime supply of Big Guy's cheeseburgers, gets lit up and send him packing to Jenny Craig?

In a world where the Phillies are willing to sell their souls and mortgage their future for a possible twelve starts from Roy Halliday, this is a good problem to have.  If Contreras and Colon continue to provide the Sox with quality starts and if Richard continues to pitch well either from the pen or as a starter, then this becomes an embarrassment of riches and the Sox can hold their prospects until next year rather then send them to some team for additional pitching help.  Richard would also solve the "we need another lefty in the bullpen" dilemma as well.

Clayton Richard is a solid, young pitcher whose time as a full time starter will come, perhaps as early as next year.  Sure, he has to work on his consistency and some of his secondary pitches, but his future looks bright either this year or next. 

In any case, it looks like the Sox have enough pitching to keep themselves in the race.  Now if the middle of the lineup could just get hot again.

Lighting Round

• In addition to Jose Contreras and Bartolo Colon, there may be a late arriving candidate for the fifth starter role.  With El Duke being waived by Texas and Jon Garland on the trading block, Kenny could put the band back together.  Just kidding. If I wanted to live in the past, I'd become a Cub fan.
• From the frying pan to the fire, the Sox now have three games against the Twinkies in the Terror Dome. This comes as Justin Morneau takes over the league lead in home runs.
• John Danks makes the start tonight, sans his buddy Nic.
• Our top ten list, from the home office in St. Charles, MO brought to you by Mark Buehrle and Dewayne Weis.  BTW, Mr. perfect thinks he has a face made for radio.
• If you have a bad foot, playing on artificial turf is not a good thing.  The problem you have is you think about hurting it and therefore make it so. Look for Dewayne Wise a lot during the Minnesota series and perhaps a day off or two for Buzz Lightyear as Q gets to DH. 
• Another outstanding farm report from Larry. (South Side Sox)
• The good news for Sox fans last night was that Joe Morgan was at the Hall of Fame ceremonies and missed the game last night.  The bad news is Steve Phillips did show up.  I would have been happy with Jon Miller and Orel Hersheiser.
• JJ's take on Clayton Richard  (Examiner.com)
• The Cheat is back.  Here is his take on Richard (South Side Sox)
• Rickhouse continues to think positive. (Tremendous Upside Potential)
• Andrew takes the wayback machine on a trip back, back, back to introduce you to the White Sox other perfect pitcher. (35th Street Review)
• Sox pitching coach Don Cooper says pass the kool-aid, the pen will be just fine
• I have no problem with Ricky Henderson and Jim Ed Rice entering the Hall of Fame.  I saw both players in their prime and they were among the top in their generation,  as Ron Santo was in his.  Oh, but wait, Ron Santo isn't in the Hall of Fame.  Can't we just bribe Joe Morgan?
• Anywhere Victor Martinez goes, besides the AL Central is good news for the Sox.  The latest rumors are Tampa and the Dodgers are in the hunt.  Go Dodgers!
• No telling how this will work, but one thing is for sure: Dan Schulman will have plenty of room in the booth tonight.
• if the leader of the free world screws up a couple of names, does that make him any less of a Sox fan?  I know one thing: He's the only Sox fan that could nuke North Korea, so best leave him be. (Sports By Brooks)
• Looks like that 12 year contract is down to 11½ years now. 
• The Chairman is closer to his dream of wreaking havoc on a third professional sports league.