Here at Sox On 35th, we will be continuing our game recaps this offseason with a throwback to the 2005 Playoffs. Each day that, 14 years ago, the White Sox had a playoff game, we will recap it for you! Make sure to vote for Player of the Game every game, so that we can determine who you, the fans, thought were the MVPs of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox! Now, let’s take this journey back to October 5, 2005…
Fresh off their commanding win in game one, the White Sox looked as if they would be heading to Boston with the series tied at one. But thanks to a Tony Graffanino error and some timely hitting, the White Sox used a five-run fifth inning to secure a surprising 2-0 series lead over the defending World Series champions. The White Sox now head to Boston with the chance to clinch their first ALCS appearance since 1993.
W: Mark Buehrle (1-0) | L: David Wells (0-1) | S: Bobby Jenks (1)
The Good
- Tadahito Iguchi: 2-for-4, HR (1), 3 RBI
- Aaron Rowand: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI
- Joe Crede: 1-for-3, RBI
The Bad
- Scott Podsednik: 0-for-4
- A.J. Pierzynski: 0-for-3
Moment of the Game
The White Sox have had a knack for the heroics this season. Iguchi is just the latest in the line of big time hits late in the season. What a moment.
Stats On 35th: Let’s Break this One Down by the Numbers
Today’s Numbers:
36.0/-15.6, 87, 4, 2, 9
36.0/-15.6
Today’s MVP and LVP, in terms of Win Probability Added (WPA) are Tadahito Iguchi (36%) and Scott Podsednik (-15.6%). Iguchi was the easy choice here, thanks to his three-run homer in the fifth inning that turned the tides for good in the game. Podsednik, on the other hand, went 0-for-4 in the game following the in which he hit his first homer of 2005.
87
Heading into the bottom of the fifth, the Red Sox had a commanding 87% win probability for this ballgame. Five runs later in the top of the sixth, it was now the White Sox who had a 65% win probability. What a difference an inning can make.
4
The fifth-run fifth inning would not have been possible without an untimely error by Tony Graffanino on an easy double play ground ball. This was a surprising error for Graffanino, as he had committed just four errors at second base in 73 games this season. Sometimes, you’re just a little bit unlucky.
2
With his fifth inning homer, Tadahito Iguchi became just the second White Sox 2B to hit a home run in the postseason. The first 2B to do this was Ray Durham in 2000, who, interestingly enough, hit his home run off of 2005 White Sox SP Freddy Garcia, who was a pitcher for the Mariners at the time.
9
The countdown continues. With the win today, the White Sox moved just nine wins away from capturing their first title in 88 years.
The Game Ahead: The White Sox look to Clinch on the Road
Freddy Garcia (2005: 14-8, 3.87 ERA) vs. Tim Wakefield (2005: 16-12, 4.15 ERA), 3:10 PM CT
Player of the Game
After A.J. Pierzynski took home Player of the Game honors last night, who will you give the title to tonight?
wpDiscuz
