Crede's late-inning heroics remain hot topic

A day after his ninth-inning single gave the White Sox a come-from-behind win over the Yankees, the absolute clutchness of third baseman Joe Crede remained a hot topic on the home side of the field.

"There are some guys who feel more comfortable with nobody on; there are some guys who feel more comfortable with guys on base," said Paul Konerko. "I think Joe just feels more comfortable with guys on base late in the game."

The numbers back up Konerko's claim.

Crede is a career .347 hitter with 6 home runs with the bases loaded and a .282 hitter with runners in scoring position. This year, he leads the majors with a pair of grand slams and is tied for the AL lead with 6 homers and 21 RBI.

"The biggest thing for me is to be able to go out there, be healthy, and find a way to contribute to the team," Crede said.

"I think the only player in the clutch better than Crede in this organization was Harold Baines," said Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "Every time this kid comes to the plate it seems like he comes (through)."

Change at the top? Ozzie Guillen admits he has thought about making changes to the top of the batting order with leadoff man Nick Swisher struggling with a .232 average. But thinking about it and actually doing something about it are two different things, and Guillen isn't quite ready to pull the trigger.

"I think about it," Guillen admitted. "I've thought about it a couple times we've been off, put (Swisher) back down (in the order). I think about Orlando Cabrera (in the leadoff spot), but then I have to move someone else to hit second. Then we have to do crazy stuff we shouldn't do right now."

"I'm not going to say we're hitting well, but I think we're playing well. I don't think right now we have to have a leadoff (change). Right now, (Swisher) is the guy we have to use."

A Jermaine topic: A strained groin muscle will keep Sox right fielder Jermaine dye out of the lineup probably at least until Monday, according to Ozzie Guillen.

Dye injured himself sliding into home Thursday night and was taken out of the game in the seventh inning.

"I expect him (maybe) Sunday to be in the lineup, no later than Monday," Guillen said. "I'll make sure, though. Those little injuries can go real bad. It's not worth it to take a chance and put him in there with no reason."

Sleepy time: After rallying from a 5-0 deficit to win the final game of their series against the Mariners, the Orioles caught the red-eye to Chicago. But instead of getting some shut-eye on the long flight, constant turbulence kept most of them awake until they landed in Chicago at 6:30 a.m. Friday.