Afternoon Box Score: White Sox Bullpen Fails to Hold Another Lead

By Chuck Sudo in News on Apr 13, 2011 9:44PM

The purpose of a bullpen in baseball is to put out fires, not start them and then add gasoline. The White Sox bullpen are like a gang of arsonists so far this season and that held true in Oakland's 7-4, 10-inning win. John Danks was solid through eight innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out seven. But Chris Sale blew a save opportunity in the top of the ninth, allowing the A's to tie the game while not getting an out. Matt Thornton was touched with the loss, allowing three runs in the 10th inning. Reader BlueFairlane commented yesterday that it's too early to declare the Thornton era as Sox closer a bust, but it's pretty close. Thornton's WHIP is now an abysmal 3.21, his ERA 7.71.