Tale of the Tape: White Sox 7, Astros 5

Here at Sox On 35^th, 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 25, 2005…

Well, if you thought Game 2 was going to be a classic, Game 3 made sure to do its best to one-up it. In a wild, long, and unpredictable first World Series game in Houston, Geoff Blum became the unlikely hero for the White Sox in the 14^th inning, homering off of Ezequiel Astacio in a guaranteed Jeopardy question somewhere down the line. With Mark Buehrle closing out the 14^th inning, the White Sox are now one win away from winning the World Series.

W: Damaso Marte (1-0) L: Ezequiel Astacio (0-1) S: Mark Buehrle (1)

The Good

Geoff Blum: 1-1, HR, RBI

A.J. Pierzynski: 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB

Mark Buehrle: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, S(1)

The Bad

Aaron Rowand: 1-6, BB, K

Dustin Hermanson: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, BS(1)

Moment of the Game

Geoff Blum wasn’t even on the White Sox as of Opening Day. He was a mid-season acquisition that will end up having one of the most important World Series at-bats in White Sox history.

Stats On 35th: Let’s Break this one down By the Numbers

Today’s Numbers:

41.1, 5, 341, 1958, 1

41.1

Today’s MVP, in terms of Win Probability Added (WPA) is, no surprise, Geoff Blum (41.1%). Blum took control of a back and forth ballgame that – hopefully – puts the nail in the coffin for the Astros’ World Series hopes.

5

After the Astros jumped out to quick 4-0 lead off of Jon Garland, the White Sox used a five run fifth inning, capped by a two-run double by A.J. Pierzynski, to take a 5-4 lead off of Roy Oswalt. This would be a lead they gave up in the eighth, as the Astros used an RBI 2B to send this game into extra innings.

341

With the game lasting a World Series-tying record 14 innings, the White Sox and Astros did break a record for length of game: 5 hours and 41 minutes (341 minutes).

1958

By coming in to get the final out in the 14th inning a game after pitching 7 innings, Mark Buehrle became the first pitcher to start a game in the World Series and save the next one since Bob Turley of the 1958 Yankees.

1

You know what this is for. Go get the last one tomorrow.

The Game Ahead: Sweep Home Chicago?

Freddy Garcia (Postseason: 2-0) vs. Brandon Backe (Postseason: 0-0), 7:30 PM CT

Player of the Game

Who’s your hero tonight? Vote!