Opening road trip a rousing success for 4-2 White Sox
DETROIT -- The White Sox aren't all the way back just yet; it would be foolish to make that proclamation just one week into the regular season.
But it's not too early to sense a distinct difference between now and 2007.
Not only did they lose 90 games last season, the Sox seemed to be lacking the solidarity that was so prevalent during their run to the World Series championship three years ago.
During Sunday night's 13-2 mauling of the still-winless Tigers at Comerica Park, it's lucky no one on the White Sox was injured. There were enough slaps on backs, helmets and hands to fill Herm Schneider's trainer's room.
Don't expect the Sox to tone down the affection anytime soon.
"I think the biggest thing that surprised me is not the on-the-field play, because I've seen that,'' said new center fielder Nick Swisher, who set the tone for the White Sox' fourth straight win with a home run leading off the game. "I think it's the inside-the-clubhouse camaraderie. A lot of time the word 'family' is thrown around loosely. But around here it's not.
"When you talk about the White Sox' family, it is family. And I'm proud to be part of it.''
The Sox were one big, happy family on the plane ride back from the Motor City late Sunday night.
Not only did the offense score 9 runs (4 earned) off Detroit ace Justin Verlander, White Sox starter Mark Buehrle bounced back from a dismal opening-day effort at Cleveland last Monday.
Buehrle picked up the win after pitching 7 innings and allowing 2 runs (1 earned) on 7 hits.
"My changeup was probably working the best it's been since I can remember,'' Buehrle said. "I was getting a lot of movement on it. Anytime you pitch like I did last time ... your confidence gets down.''
The Sox' defense helped pick Buehrle up while turning 5 double plays against the Tigers. That was more than enough to offset 2 rare throwing errors by third baseman Joe Crede and a dropped flyball by left fielder Carlos Quentin.
"I always say good defense wins games,'' said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "You play good defense and your pitching staff is going to be better. That's Mark Buehrle's game. Mark's going to have people on base and the defense has to help him.''
The Sox finished the opening road trip at 4-2 and are tied for first place in the AL Central with Kansas City.
"It's a great feeling to go back to Chicago with the momentum we have,'' Guillen said. "Chicago fans should be happy because we're showing them we're a better ballclub than people think.''