Contreras, White Sox beat Royals to finish sweep
It's probably going to be like this all season.
The White Sox are going to put a winning streak together, slip a bit, and brace for all of the angst.
"This is a game about ups and downs,'' said center fielder Nick Swisher, who still is trying to adjust to the intense atmosphere that often comes with playing for the Sox.
"It's a good homestand for us so far, and when you lose games like that and then come back like we did, it shows a lot of character.''
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After losing three straight tough ones at Tampa Bay before returning to play the Kansas City Royals at U.S. Cellular Field, the White Sox' offense was blasted by manager Ozzie Guillen and the media started firing on the AL Central leaders.
But the atmosphere around the Sox is tranquil again after Thursday night's 6-2 victory, which capped a three-game sweep. The Royals have lost 15 of 17 and have dropped 10#189; games behind the White Sox.
"They're not playing well right now,'' Guillen said of K.C. "But when we came here, we weren't either.''
After scoring 21 runs against the Royals, the Sox' offense looks like it is starting to heat up again.
"It's great,'' Guillen said. "You can see the difference in the dugout. Guys are attacking pitches and putting good swings on the ball. Everything came together, and each day it seems like it's somebody different getting it done. Hopefully we continue to do it as long as we can. I know we're going to struggle again because it's baseball. But let's keep it going.''
Jim Thome is starting to get it going with the bat. The White Sox' designated hitter launched a home run for the second straight game Thursday.
"Coming home, we knew the weather was going to be warmer, and the ball carries here really well,'' Thome said. "Hopefully we can keep this momentum going.''
Most of the Sox' starting pitchers have been building momentum from the opening week of the season, and Jose Contreras has been at the front of the line.
Taking the mound Thursday, the big right-hander had one slight problem.
"He didn't have his splitter,'' catcher Toby Hall said of Contreras' best pitch. "So we had to go with his slider and changeup to spot his fastball. He struggled a little early but then got into a good rhythm.''
Pitching 7 innings, Contreras earned the win after allowing 1 run on 4 hits. He is 4-0 with a 1.50 ERA over his last 6 starts.
"In the past, the way he was struggling, I don't think he would have made it to the third or fourth inning,'' Guillen said. "But all of the sudden he started pitching and he found the plate. His confidence level has gone up a notch.''
Contreras didn't panic when his split-finger fastball failed to engage.
"That is the key to my success, but I noticed it wasn't working,'' Contreras said through a translator. "But if you only rely on one pitch, you're not going to win.''
The White Sox couldn't win the last three games they played at Tampa Bay, but that finally has been put to rest.
"We have Minnesota coming in and we just have to keep playing like we did against Kansas City,'' Hall said. "It should be a good series.''
White Sox 6, Royals 2
At the plate: Jim Thome hit his 12th home run of the season, the 519th of his career. The Sox hit 8 home runs in the three-game sweep over K.C. Orlando Cabrera was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI; the shortstop has 19 hits in his last 54 at-bats (.352).
On the mound: Starter Jose Contreras won after pitching 7 innings and allowing 1 run on 4 hits. Contreras has gone 7 or more innings in 7 of his 12 starts this season. Nick Masset pitched the ninth and allowed a leadoff HR to Mark Teahen.