Oct. 24, 2005
NORMAL, Ill. -
After the rain let up after a wild Game 2 finish of the World Series last night, the box score had former Illinois State Redbird pitcher and current Chicago White Sox reliever Neal Cotts' name in it, with a "W" right next to his name. Cotts came out of the bullpen for the second game in a row for the Sox and recorded the win against the Houston Astros after a crazy finish at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Ill.
Cotts came in to relieve Sox closer Bobby Jenks, after Jenks surrendered a two-run lead in the top of the ninth inning that left the score tied 6-6 and a runner on second base with two outs. However, Cotts came in to force a pop up and end the inning going into the bottom of the ninth tied.
However, Cotts would soon earn his first career post-season win with the help of the bat of Scott Podsednik. Podsednik, who didn't hit a home run in 507 regular-season at-bats, hit his second of the post-season to give the White Sox a 2-0 lead in the World Series before the series shifted to Houston on Tuesday for Game 3.
Cotts has been nearly flawless this post-season, giving up just one hit in two innings of work in four appearances. Some of his best pitches have come in the first two games of the World Series, posting the two strikeouts in Game 1 to preserve a 4-3 Sox lead over Houston and saving the lead in Game 2 for the Sox.
Game 3 is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.
