What’s New

Each week in this space, I ask you nine questions about the Cubs and the White Sox. This week, I have only one question: Do you remember baseball 20 years ago today, on Sept. 11, 2001?

Sept. 11, 2001, was an ordinary Tuesday in mid-September. The Cubs had clobbered the Reds 8-2 the night before, and the Sox had topped the Indians 7-1. The Cubs were in third place, six games back, and the Sox were in third place, eight games back. As I said, it was a pretty ordinary Tuesday in mid-September. Until it wasn’t.

In 2001, Don Baylor was managing the Cubs and Jerry Manuel the Sox. Andy McPhail was the Cubs’ general manager, and Kenny Williams was the Sox’ GM. Sammy Sosa hit 64 home runs that season for the Cubs, the third time he topped the 60-homer mark. Matt Stairs and Rondell White each had 17 homers. Jon Lieber went 20-6, and Kerry Wood went 12-6.

Paul Konerko homered 32 times and Magglio Ordonez went deep 31 times for the Sox. And let’s not forget the 16 homers hit by Jose Canseco. Mark Buehrle went 16-8, and Keith Foulke had 42 saves.

On Sept. 11, the Sox were in New York to face the Yankees. Their charter had arrived at Newark International Airport at 2 a.m. Just about all of baseball’s visiting teams had arrived in the cities where they had been scheduled to play Tuesday.

The Yankees were in first place, 13 games ahead of the Red Sox. The night before, the Yankees had been rained out against the Red Sox. Roger Clemens was supposed to face his former team. He was 19-1 in his second season with the Yankees, and his start was moved to Tuesday against the Sox.

Meanwhile, back in Chicago, Juan Cruz was preparing to face the Reds’ Jose Acevedo that night at 7:05 at Wrigley Field.

On the morning of Sept. 11, Sox players were being awakened in their hotel rooms by frantic calls from family and friends checking on their well-being. Shortly before 10:30 a.m., after checking in on his players, Yankees GM Brian Cashman, called Williams. They already knew that their game had been canceled and the series, as well. Williams told Cashman he had accounted for all his players and was trying to find a way to get them out of Manhattan. The Sox wanted to go home and couldn’t secure transportation.

Just before 11 a.m., commissioner Bud Selig canceled all the games, ”in the interest of security and out of a sense of deep mourning for the national tragedy that has occurred today.” Other than during labor disputes, game cancellations were a rare event. In 1989, the earthquake in San Francisco put a 10-day hold on the World Series. All the games of June 6, 1944 — D-Day — were canceled. Before that, baseball stopped play on the day of President Warren G. Harding’s funeral on Aug. 10, 1923. Harding had died in office on Aug. 2. And that’s it. Baseball always seemed to be there, no matter what.

As the day progressed, the sign in front of Wrigley Field simply stated: ”TONIGHT’S GAME CANCELLED.” In front of new Comiskey Park, the flags were at half-staff.

”I don’t know how long [teams should wait], but there has to be a period of mourning, and we definitely have to be a part of it,” Manuel said.

Yankee Stadium was deserted on Sept. 12. It had been evacuated because of a bomb scare, a Yankees official said. It really didn’t need to be open. Said Derek Jeter, who lived in Manhattan: ”They’re still trying to find people. I really don’t think it’s the right time to play baseball.”

But when would the right time be?

On Sept. 13, civilian air traffic was allowed to resume with stricter airport security checks that banned, for example, the box cutters that were used by the hijackers. With that in mind, Selig announced that teams would resume the schedule on Monday, Sept. 17. Teams would make up missed games the week after the season had been scheduled to end, and the postseason would be pushed back a week. Selig said in a statement: ”While I recognize that the suffering from Tuesday’s horrific tragedy continues, I believe that in the spirit of national recovery and return to normalcy, Major League Baseball, as a social institution, can best be helpful by resuming play at the most appropriate time. I believe that time is Monday.”

The Cubs and Sox were off Monday the 17th but resumed playing on Tuesday, Sept. 18. The Cubs lost in a walk-off to the Reds in Cincinnati. Jay Mariotti in the Sun-Times wrote: ”Before the tragedy, the Cubs leaned on the rail of their dugout and watched the action intensely. In their return to a somber, humbled sport, they mostly sat on the bench in the dugout, unable to revive their previous passions.”

”We’re not in a rush to get back,” said Cubs pitcher Jason Bere, speaking for a clubhouse that sat paralyzed those days and nights, like all of us. ”Obviously, there are more important things in the world than sports. But I think the country is trying to rally and look to other things to take their minds off things. If they’re able to watch a baseball game, maybe it can help. We have a responsibility to give our best.”

On Sept. 18, it was Buehrle on the mound facing the Yankees at Comiskey. The Yankees wore the hats of the New York fire, police and emergency services departments. New security measures were in effect for fans, who no longer would be allowed to bring in large bags, coolers or containers.

The next day, this is how Chris De Luca opened his Sun-Times article about the Sox’ 11-3 loss to the Yankees as baseball returned to Chicago: ”Mark Buehrle’s eyes filled with tears during the national anthem. Jerry Manuel struggled with a feeling of helplessness. Joe Torre got choked up during an intense pregame ceremony. And Chris Singleton felt a renewed spirit about baseball.”

Each week, I pose my trivia questions in this space for the shared joy of thinking about baseball. In the New York Times on Sept. 17, Buster Olney quoted Yankees third baseman Scott Brosius as saying: ”Right now, it’s hard to think about having the same joy about hitting a home run. It’s pretty trivial.”

On Sept. 21, the first sporting event in New York since the terrorist attacks took place at Shea Stadium as the Mets hosted the Braves. The Mets won the game 3-2, thanks to a game-winning homer by Mike Piazza. Carol Gies, whose husband, FDNY Lt. Ronnie E. Gies, was killed in the attacks, attended that first post-9/11 Mets game with her three sons.

In an oral-history recording that is part of the collection at the 9/11 Museum and Memorial, Gies said: ”When that ball went over the wall, I saw my children smile for the very first time since they lost their dad.”

I’ll be back next week with more trivia. Stay safe.

Read More

Four people were killed and two minors among 12 others wounded in citywide gun violence Friday.

A man was found shot to death on a South Loop street early Friday on the West Side.

Police responded to a call of shots fired about 2 a.m. and found the man with a gunshot wound to the head in the 2000 block of South Lumber Street, Chicago police said.

He was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. He was identified as Trumone Vontae Smith Jr. by the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Less than an hour later, a man was fatally shot in Pilsen on the West Side.

Officers responding to a call of shots fired about 2:50 a.m., found a 50-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the head and hand in the 1400 block of West 17th Street, police said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

He was identified as Guadalupe Hinojosa by the medical examiner’s office.

A person was shot to death Friday afternoon in Englewood on the South Side.

The male, whose age wasn’t known, was near the sidewalk about 5:30 p.m. in the 7200 block of South Yale Avenue when he heard shots and felt pain, police said.

He was struck in the armpit and hand and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

He hasn’t been identified.

Earlier in the afternoon, a man was shot and killed in Austin on the West Side.

The man, 27, was shot in his head and shoulder as he stood in front of a home around 1 p.m. in the 5500 block of West Adams Street, police said. He was identified as Devonta Perry by the medical examiner’s office.

He was taken to Stroger, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

A 12-year-old old boy and another, 13, were wounded in a shooting Friday night in Austin on the West Side.

The boys were standing in the front porch of a home about 10:30 p.m. in the 5800 block of West Augusta Boulevard when someone inside a silver SUV fired shots, police said.

Both were struck in the leg and they were transported to Stroger in good condition, police said.

A couple of hours earlier, three people were shot, one critically, in Grand Boulevard on the South Side.

A woman and two men were standing on the sidewalk about 8:50 p.m. in the first block of East 43rd Street when someone inside a gray SUV fired shots, Chicago police said.

A 35-year-old man was shot several times in the body and was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition, police said.

A woman, 23, was struck in the buttocks and was taken in fair condition to University of Chicago, police said. Another man, 42, was shot in the leg and was taken to the same hospital in fair condition.

Seven others were wounded in citywide shootings Friday.

One person was killed and 10 others, including two teens, wounded in shootings in Chicago Thursday.

Read More

Read More

A man was shot and critically wounded Saturday in Burnside on the Far South Side.

The 18-year-old as standing on the sidewalk about 3:35 a.m. when shots were fired in the 800 block of East 89th Place, Chicago police said.

He was struck in the left leg and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition, police said.

No one was in custody as of Saturday morning.

Read More

A 12-year-old old boy and another, 13, were wounded in a shooting Friday night in Austin on the West Side.

The boys were standing in the front porch of a home about 10:30 p.m. in the 5800 block of West Augusta Boulevard when someone inside a silver SUV fired shots, Chicago police said.

Both were struck in the leg and they were transported to Stroger Hospital in good condition, police said.

No one is in custody as Area Four detectives investigate.

Read More

Moon Alert

After 10:15 p.m. Pacific time, avoid shopping or making important decisions. The moon is in Scorpio.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

This is a lovely day for you! The celestial gods will bless you in financial matters as well as affectionate romance. Keep your pockets open because gifts, goodies and favors from others can come your way. Enjoy fun times with your main squeeze.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

This is a wonderful day to relate to everyone, including members of the general public. Conversations with close friends and partners will be warm and congenial. Basically, people are in a good mood. However, they’re also prepared to work hard to get things done. Ditto for you.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

This is a productive day for you because you’re in a positive frame of mind, in addition to which, you’re motivated to get things done. Group efforts will be beneficial. Some of you will be involved with work-related travel. You’ve got big ideas!

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Today is an excellent day because people can work hard or they can party hard — or both. However, for your sign, the greater likelihood is that you will choose to party hard! Great day for a vacation. Enjoy sports events, playful activities with kids, the entertainment world and social outings!

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

This is the perfect time to entertain at home or enjoy family get-togethers. Recently, you worked to make your home look more attractive. Perhaps now is the time to show off your efforts? Mark Twain said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.”

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

This is a winning day! The sun and Mars in your sign will invigorate you and give you energy and enthusiasm! Meanwhile Venus, the moon and Jupiter will make your words so diplomatic and charming, everyone will want to hear what you have to say.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Because you are in an enthusiastic and energetic frame of mind, you can work hard, you can party hard, or you can do both. (Preferably one before the other.) This is a particularly good day for business and commercial transactions.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Fair Venus is in your sign promoting your people skills. Meanwhile, the moon is in your sign increasing your enthusiasm for anything that you do. Expect to be successful dealing with friends and groups as well as family members. It’s a winning day!

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

You continue to impress bosses, parents, teachers and VIPs, which is why this is an excellent time for you to do anything to advance your agenda. Today, you might work behind the scenes in such a way as to promote your good name. (Promoting is your forte. You could sell the Brooklyn Bridge!)

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

This is a lovely, popular day, which is why you’ll enjoy interactions with others. You will especially enjoy time spent with a friend or perhaps a group. In fact, groups could be anything from a few friends to a large convention. It’s a good money day, as well.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Today you make a fabulous impression on bosses, parents and important people. Since this is a case, choose this day to make your pitch. Do whatever you need to do to advance your agenda because doors will open for you.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

You’re very keen to travel and today is no exception. You might see ways to do something that expands your horizons — very likely with a friend or with a group. Use your energy to make this happen because it is possible. Accept someone’s offer of help if it comes your way.

If Your Birthday Is Today

Musician Moby (1965) shares your birthday. Because you are curious and forward thinking, you investigate new ideas and concepts. You are precise, and a stickler for details. You are sensitive, careful and a shrewd negotiator. You will enjoy this year because it is a time of learning as well as teaching. Reach out and grab new knowledge — anything that will enrich your life. Solitude also will benefit you.

Read More

Pitchfork Music Festival 2021: Photos of the Stages and the Scene – Chicago Magazine

.

Skip to content

Read More

Here are reviews of some of the Day 1 sets Friday at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park.

Phoebe Bridgers, Green Stage, 8:30 p.m.

Phoebe Bridgers performs on Day 1 of the Pitchfork Music Festival.Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

“I hate you for what you did,” sang Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers, breaking into the beginning of her 2017 breakout single “Motion Sickness” and setting the tone for her headlining set at Pitchfork on Friday night.

Bridgers and her band — all clad in skeleton onesies — were greeted by an enormous crowd, eager to see the 27-year-old artist perform her blend of emotive indie folk-rock after a year’s worth of pandemic-forced canceled tour dates and virtual performances.

From the cheery Christmas lights wrapped around her mic stand contrasted with the skull-and-bones imagery of her outfit, to the muffled cheers from some of the happy fans in the crowd masked amid the global pandemic, to the thematically-heavy songs in major keys, Bridgers leaned into her knack for embracing irony to reach emotional clarity.

Set highlight “Kyoto” made the crowd swell to an even larger size, as fans danced to the upbeat song while singing deeply personal lines like, “I’m gonna kill you if you don’t beat me to it.”

Since the release of her brooding debut album “Stranger in the Alps” in 2017, Bridgers has developed a devout fan base that grew exponentially with the release of her emotionally evocative sophomore album “Punisher,” released last year. And while “Punisher” never got a proper tour, it did net the artist multiple Grammy nominations, a “Saturday Night Live” performance and widespread acclaim.

Bridgers’ fan base — sometimes known online as the “Phantoms” or the “Pharbz” — was clearly present Friday night, some of whom waited more than eight hours at the front of the stage for a key spot. During quiet moments in tracks like “Garden Song,” they sang passionately with eyes closed, all but drowning out the artist while belting lines like, “I hopped the fence when I was seventeen, then I knew what I wanted.”

If you didn’t wait for hours for the front row and were instead on the outskirts of the massive crowd, it was sometimes a struggle to hear Bridgers and her band, a reminder of the Pitchfork’s scale in comparison to other major music festivals and the limitations of its sound system. But by the second half of her set, the crowd had quieted enough for moving performances of songs like “Me & My Dog” — a song from her side project boygenius, with artists Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus.

Bridgers’ love for irony really shone during her mid-set cover of Bo Burnham’s “That Funny Feeling,” from his 2021 special “Inside,” which had her crooning lines like “Reading Pornhub’s terms of service, going for a drive, and obeying all the traffic laws in Grand Theft Auto V,” with haunting conviction.

The artist ended her set with her song “I Know The End,” building up to a climax that prompted the crowd to jump and scream as Bridgers and her band did the same, sounding like a powerful, melodic exorcism. The song’s abrupt ending also meant the end of her set, as she and her band rushed off the stage.

Kelly Lee Owens, 6:30 p.m., Blue Stage

Kelly Lee Owens performs on Day 1 of the Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park.Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

Welsh producer and musician Kelly Lee Owens brought her meditative electronic techno-pop sound to the Blue Stage Friday, easing the crowd of festival-goers into a sort of tranquil trance as the sun set on Day 1 of Pitchfork Fest.

Many members of the crowd closed their eyes and swayed to the low, feel-it-in-your-chest frequencies pushed through the subwoofers, while others nodded to the ethereal beats with their eyes transfixed on the artist working on stage.

“You look so beautiful!” Owens told the crowd, as sunlight silhouetted her and shone onto the crowd.

Owens was in constant motion throughout the set, playing keys, turning nobs, pounding a sample pad and singing into a mic. Yet, the multitasking felt like less of a juggling act and more like witnessing an artist meticulously reproduce her work in real-time to create an experience unique to that environment.

The effect was an engaging performance, where Owens’ production was accented by her breathy vocals floating above shimmering arpeggios and moments where she would lean into the mic and sing, headbang and look into the packed audience.

Her setlist boasted a number of other tracks from her latest release, last year’s “Inner Song” — a dreamy and introspective album touching on themes such as profound loss, letting go and change. The sophomore record is equally and deeply emotive, whether accompanied by Owens’ tastefully minimalistic melody lines or masterfully arranged instrumentation.

Even from a stage separating a crowd split between masked and unmasked festival-goers, the former-nurse-turned-professional-musician connected with the hundreds of fans in attendance, making eye contact and nodding in encouragement to those catching danceable grooves.

A standout moment was when Owens performed “On,” looking wide-eyed into the crowd with a nod, as if encouraging fans to, as she sings, “let go.”

The backhalf of Owens’ set produced for danceable moments, amping the crowd up as sun finally set and temperatures cooled significantly.

People packed before the stage were all smiles, dancing, hugging and laughing — all while kicking up a significant cloud of dirt that floated above them.

And at the end of her set, Owens stepped to the edges and clapped for the audience, raising her hands to cheer and thank them all.

Hop Along, 3:20 p.m., Red Stage

Frances Quinlan of Hop Along performs at Pitchfork Music Festival on Friday in Union Park.Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

No stranger to festival settings, seasoned Philadelphia-based indie-rock group Hop Along took the stage for its sweltering afternoon slot on Friday.

Save for a few cobwebs that came in the form of the occasional out-of-tune guitar or hardly-noticeable missed notes, the four-piece group performed a tight set spanning their more than 10-year-old discography.

After all these years, the undeniable focal point of Hop Along’s loud, folk rock-leaning sound is still the distinct rasp and range of bandleader Frances Quinlan’s vocals. The well-known power of their voice as heard on each of the band’s albums and the dynamic presence of all their vocals as captured on Quinlan’s 2020 solo record “Likewise” were on full display Friday.

Quinlan’s voice burst through the monitors and showcased their skill for sliding from falsetto to full-throated wailing and back, all while delivering catchy choruses to an audience nodding to the beat.

The performance was a breezy hit parade, with the band steadily gliding through a set list that felt curated for all the fans who’ve waited since before the pandemic to see them. And as evident by the smiles worn on Quinlan and Co.’s faces, the band had been waiting to see them, too.

“It feels so good to be with y’all,” said guitarist Joe Reinhart.

“I was very by myself like a week ago — this is very strange!” Quinlan said with a smile.

A set highlight was when Quinlan switched out their Gibson hollow body for an acoustic guitar to play “Horseshoe Crabs,” from the band’s 2015 album “Painted Shut.” Reinhart along with drummer Mark Quinlan — Frances’ brother — offered backing vocals throughout the set, but really shone during this song.

Other highlights included “How Simple” from 2018’s “Bark Your Head Off, Dog,” which Quinlan prefaced by asking the crowd, “Y’all being cool? Y’all respecting each other? This next song’s about two people who don’t respect each other.” The band then ripped into the opening riffs before leading the sea of joyful fans in singing the lines “Don’t worry, we will both find out just not together.”

Hop Along ended its set with one of its oldest releases, the 2012 fan favorite “Tibetan Pop Stars,” which sent the crowd jumping and headbanging.

The group will reprise its Pitchfork stint with a 7 p.m. aftershow Saturday at Metro Chicago, where local bands Varsity and Slow Mass will open.

Emily Kempf of DEHD performs on day one of the Pitchfork Music Festival, Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

Dehd, 2:30 p.m., Green Stage

Following blistering sets from cerebral hip-hop group Armand Hammer and Detroit post-punk outfits Dogleg, local outfit Dehd was third up on Day 1 of this year’s Pitchfork Music Festival.

The three-piece group burst into “Lucky,” serving their brand of jangly, moody — and at times surf-leaning — indie-rock to the delight of hundreds gathered to see the home team.

Drummer Eric McGrady worked as the band’s backbone standing center stage, flanked by bassist Emily Kempf and guitarist Jason Balla positioned just ahead, who both jumped and swayed while trading vocal duties.

Where many artists might rely on a lineup of lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass and five-piece drum setup for a fuller sound, Dehd chooses barebones instrumentation to embrace the freedom of dead space and let their songs truly shine — and it always works to their benefit.

Kempf’s guttural wails Friday on set standouts like “Baby” sounded as if they were drenched in reverb, creating the illusion of a once-empty hall filled with her powerful voice. Balla’s guitar lines on tracks like “Flood” came through crisply, sailing through the speakers without the anchor of a rhythm guitar. And McGrady’s driving eighth notes — pounded solely on a floor tom and snare — kept the crowd moving throughout the entire performance.

“This is really cool you all,” a beaming Kempf said to the crowd as it baked underneath the mid-afternoon sun.

Dehd’s set at Pitchfork Fest also served as an opener for a delayed tour in support of “Flower of Devotion,” released in July 2020.

The crew plans to cover more than 20-dates, including a stint in Vancouver, before ending back in the midwest with a St. Louis show in November.

More reviews to come …

Read More

With record and last week’s ranking.

1. Loyola (2-0)

Saturday vs. No. 8 St. Rita

2. Maine South (3-0)

Won 47-14 vs. Fremd

3. Naperville Central (2-1)

Lost 17-14 at Novi Catholic, Mich.

4. Brother Rice (3-0)

Won 42-6 vs. Benet

5. Marist (3-0)

Won 28-14 vs. Nazareth

6. Joliet Catholic (3-0)

Won 48-14 vs. De La Salle

7. Mount Carmel (3-0)

Won 55-20 vs. Notre Dame

8. St. Rita (1-1)

Saturday at No. 1 Loyola

9. Wheaton North (2-1)

Lost 23-20 in OT at No. 15 Batavia

10. Warren (2-1)

Won 56-0 at Zion-Benton

11. Lincoln-Way East (2-1)

Won 42-0 vs. Stagg

12. Cary-Grove (3-0)

Won 48-14 vs. Crystal Lake Central

13. Glenbard West (3-0)

Won 60-20 at Oak Park

14. Neuqua Valley (3-0)

Won 26-21 at St. Louis St. Mary’s, Mo.

15. Batavia (3-0)

Won 23-20 in OT vs. No. 9 Wheaton North

16. Hersey (2-0)

Friday at Maine East

17. Fenwick (2-1)

Lost 21-20 vs. Providence

18. St. Charles North (2-1)

Lost 12-10 at No. 25 Wheaton Warrenville South

19. Bolingbrook (3-0)

Won 23-17 vs. Lincoln-Way West

20. Oswego East (3-0)

Won 42-18 vs. Plainfield East

21. New Trier (2-1)

Lost 28-23 vs. Barrington

22. Homewood-Flossmoor (3-0)

Won 44-2 vs. Lincoln-Way Central

23. Lockport (3-0)

Won 43-7 vs. Bradley-Bourbonnais

24. Lemont (3-0)

Won 37-13 at Shepard

25. Wheaton Warrenville South (2-1)

Won 12-10 vs. No. 18 St. Charles North

Read More

Left-hander Carlos Rodon is one of the biggest reasons the White Sox are counting down to their first division championship since 2008.

To do more than just win the American League Central, however, the Sox probably will need Rodon to look like the dominant pitcher who was one of the best stories in baseball early in the season.

On Friday against the Red Sox, Rodon showed some encouraging signs.

Pitching for the first time since beating the Pirates on Sept. 1, Rodon allowed one run and struck out seven while throwing 86 pitches over five innings during the Sox’ 4-3 win over Boston. Rodon hasn’t pitched more than five innings since throwing seven July 18 against the Astros, but his velocity peaked at 97.8 mph and he got 12 swings-and-misses.

Though he beat the Pirates in his prior outing, Rodon’s top speed was 95.9 mph, so Friday showed an improvement in his velocity.

“Felt pretty good, better than last time,” Rodon said. “Velo was a little tick up, which was good. Just went and attacked and got through five today.”

The Sox also got Eloy Jimenez back after he missed two games with a bruised right knee. Earlier in the day, Sox manager Tony La Russa said Jimenez, who was the designated hitter, still would feel some pain but wouldn’t make it worse.

La Russa also said Jimenez shouldn’t bother looking for the stolen-base sign, but that didn’t stop him from straying too far off second and getting picked off by Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez to end the third.

Like Jimenez, Rodon’s health and availability will be a key storyline down the stretch for the Sox, whose magic number to win the AL Central dropped to 12. With his five innings, Rodon jumped to 124 2/3 this season after tossing only 42 1/3 in the last two combined because of arm problems.

Questions about Rodon’s durability arose last month, when he was out for much of August with shoulder fatigue. He then made two five-inning starts with decreased velocity and subsequently was skipped against the Athletics because of lingering concerns.

And though Rodon looked good against the Red Sox after being staked to a lead, thanks to Jose Abreu’s three-run home run in the third, perhaps the bigger test will come when the Sox see how he feels. Before the game, La Russa said that there’s no day penciled in for Rodon’s next start and that the outing Friday was ”very important” for a lot of reasons.

During this breakout season, Rodon has done his best work with extra rest. Before Friday, he had a 7-2 record and a 1.69 ERA with six or more days between starts. La Russa, however, said those cushions were different from this one.

”Before, he wasn’t dealing with this soreness, so this is new territory,” La Russa said. ”But we gave him plenty of rest, and he passed the tests.”

Between starts, Rodon said he was dealing with a little soreness but nothing worrisome. Soon, he’d like to get past the five-inning barrier.

“Just happy to go out there and pitch five innings and give our team a chance to win and let the bullpen take over,” Rodon said. “I’m happy with it. I’d like to go six or seven, but I’m sure that’s coming.”

In the third. Vazquez started the inning with a single and ended up at third after a wild pitch by Rodon and a throwing error by catcher Yasmani Grandal. But Rodon escaped without allowing any runs by striking out Jose Iglesias with a 96.9 mph four-seamer to end a 12-pitch at-bat, then fanning Enrique Hernandez.

The only run Rodon allowed came in the fifth, when Bobby Dalbec led off with a homer to left. He then got through the rest of the inning before handing things off to the bullpen.

“Third inning, I had to reach back for a few, got the strikeouts that we needed,” Rodon said. “Fourth was good, tried to get some quick outs, but they put together three or four at-bats that were eight to 10 pitches that worked my pitch count up. So they did a pretty good job with that. But I’m happy they let me go out for the fifth.”

Read More