Richard's stellar relief effort an attention-grabber

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Thanks to 3 innings of sterling relief Thursday, left-hander Clayton Richard has gone from a guy who was no sure bet to make the postseason roster to a possible fill-in starter somewhere down the road in the playoffs.

And maybe as soon as a potential Game 5 against Tampa Bay.

"I don't know yet, but it's something that's on our minds," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, after yet another shaky outing by Game 1 starter Javier Vazquez.

It's on Guillen's mind for a number of reasons:

First, his trust factor with Vazquez is eroding.

Second, the Rays struggle somewhat against lefties.

And third? Just look at what Richard did Thursday, coming on in the fifth to put the kibosh on a Rays rally and then pitching 3 scoreless innings, highlighted by a stretch where he struck out five consecutive batters.

"Outstanding job," Guillen said. "First year in a big-league playoff situation and to handle it the way he did ... I'm proud and happy how this kid is pitching for us."

Richard's 5 strikeouts as a reliever tie a White Sox franchise record in a postseason game (Jose DeLeon accomplished the feat in Game 5 of the 1993 ALCS at Toronto).

"He deserves a lot of credit," catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. "He pitched great, especially to be in that situation being as young as he is and coming in and doing what he did was awesome."

"I had pretty good control of my fastball and could throw in the (strike) zone most of the time so we could stay ahead in the count," Richard said. "It's a building block."

For a start in Game 5?

"I'm not going to worry about that; that's for them to decide," the low-key lefty said. "Right now I'm just going to get ready for when they want to use me again.

"That's all I'm worried about."