YCS Trip to U.S. Cellular Field, Sponsored by 7-11, UPS, LaSalle Bank, Connie's Pizza, Best Buy, and Dick's Sporting Goods

My dad decided to get Sox tickets for last Saturday's game, so my broke ass got to see the most uninspiring team up close and in person. With Nate calling for a Chicago baseball park post, here's my wild and nonsensical ramblings of Saturday's experience.

1:45-Get to the ballpark, and enjoy the fact that some of the best food in baseball has not had a drop in quality like the on-field product.

2:00-Thankful to see that Josh Fields is still avoiding Ozzie's crazy whims despite his slow major league start and is in the line-up today. Right now, Fields would be one of the only reasons I still have half a reason to watch this sorry ass team.

2:15-My dad goes to the concourse for his first of about 20 cigarettes. I think he spent more of the game smoking than sitting in our seats and watching the proceedings. In hindsight, he had the right idea.

2:45-An earlier than normal national anthem because of the Fox 2:55 start. I'm sure the ratings exploded for this match-up of teams clearly well beyond their 2005 World Series form. With it being Negro League Day, we hear the black national anthem first. Awesome singer, but extremely confusing lyrics to the song and no semblance of a melody to it.

2:50-I make the mistake of turning down my dad's offer for a free beer, as I was in a rare non-drinking mood. Later in day, I strongly regret this decision.

Bottom of the 1st inning-Tadahito Iguchi starts the game on a good note, hitting a double down the line and getting thrown out at third trying to stretch it after the left fielder bungles the ball.

Top of the 3rd inning-Career journeyman Eric Munson gets the Astros on the board with a solo homer. About the only good decision Phil Garner would make today would be playing Munson in favor of the useless Brad Ausmus.

Top of the 8th inning-After seven strong innings, Jon Garland gets pulled after scattering 8 hits and just one run from Munson's homer. The Sox bullpen then enters the game. Brett Prinz channels the spirit of Rick "The Wild Thing" Vaughn and throws six straight balls, followed by a line drive double by Lance Berkman. With guys on second and third, Prinz intentionally walks the next batter and leaves the field to a round of boos (sorry Vinnie). Boone Logan then does a very admirable job, getting a force play at home and allowing a sacrifice fly. Of course, he then gets pulled in favor of latest rookie project Ryan Bukvich. After walking the bases loaded, Bukvich strikes out the next batter and the Sox escape only giving up one run and down 2-0.

Bottom of the 8th Inning-Josh Fields leads off with a single, and Phil Garner pulls Jason Jennings after less than 100 pitches thrown and no runs allowed on six hits and a walk. The reliever then walks Rob Mackowiak on four pitches. With two guys on and no one out, Ozzie Ball comes to the forefront with a Tadahito Iguchi sac bunt. My guess is that Ozzie had no clue that the Sox were actually down two runs. Thome bails out Ozzie's ass by hitting a two-run double and tying the game. Of course, mad that someone would actually try to hit the ball hard, Ozzie pulls Thome for a pinch-runner in a tied game. That being Alex Cintron, he of the .194 average and worst place discipline on a team of free swingers. I think I'll sacrifice the couple of steps lost running home instead of pulling your best hitter in a tie game for someone who does not belong on a major league roster. As expected, the Sox rally stops and it's a 2-2 game after eight.

Top of 9th inning-Ozzie finally makes a good move and brings in Bobby Jenks. Of course, Jenks proceeds to give up 3 soft singles and the Astros take a 3-2 lead.

Bottom of the 9th inning-Juan Uribe actually draws a walk before the Sox go out meekly and lose 3-2. The backdrift of Rob Mackowiak's swing could have taken out some small towns. In the end, another day, another loss.

To top the day off, the Red Line takes 15 minutes for the last two stops on our ride back to the Howard L. My unbelievably resilient bladder takes another beating I'll pay for down the road. We finally get back home at 7:45 and I experience freedom. The Sox actually win a game Sunday before rolling over here to the Phillies the last two nights. At this point, Kenny Williams really needs to waive the white flag and try to get the Sox some young position players for our next run in a few years. Also, I really do not like the idea of Ozzie managing a young, up and coming team.