Break can't slow down Sox in 8-7 win over Twins
MINNEAPOLIS - While playing a blistering stretch of baseball that's showing no signs of letting up, the White Sox have been making it look pretty easy with solid pitching and sound defense.
But don't sell the offense short.
"I listen to people all over the place and the first thing that comes out of their mouths is that we need a lefty power hitter," Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "I think if you're not pitching in this game you're going to have problems, I don't care how many good hitters you have.
"I believe good pitching shuts down a good hitting team. I think our position is that if we make the plays in the field and continue to push as hard as we can offensively, the team will be fine."
Could the White Sox use a potent left-handed bat such as Adam Dunn or Prince Fielder or Lance Berkman? The answer is obvious.
But they've been doing just fine with the hitters they have, and it was the offense that finally basked in the spotlight when the second half of the season got started Thursday night at Target Field.
The Sox jumped on the Twins with 2 runs in the first inning and 2 more in the second.
And when Minnesota jumped back at starting pitcher John Danks with a 6-spot in the bottom of the second, the Sox' bats didn't run and hide. Instead, the White Sox added another run in the fourth inning and 3 more in the fifth en route to an 8-7 win.
Not only have they won nine straight and 26 of their last 31, the Sox are batting a sizzling .370 over their last 13 games.
"The offense has been playing really well the last couple weeks," Gordon Beckham said after continuing to heat up with 2 hits, including a second-deck solo home run in the first inning, and 2 RBI.
"We've gotten great pitching in the streak, but we've gotten runs when we've need to. That's always a plus. If we can pick those guys up like we did tonight and they show up like they should every other day, we're going to be all right."
If the offense continues to keep pace with the pitching and defense, the White Sox might never cool off.
Earlier in the season, Danks didn't point any fingers when he put a string of quality outings together and had nothing to show for it due a lack of run support.
Danks was dangerously close to being yanked after allowing 6 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks in the second inning, but he pulled himself together and the offense did the rest.
"The goal was to throw strikes, and I did that," the left-hander said after making it through 6 innings. "Unfortunately, I blew a 4-0 lead. Obviously, these guys are swinging the bat well and we are playing great baseball. Fortunately. these guys picked me up today."
The Sox pounded out 14 hits, led by Juan Pierre with 3 out of the leadoff spot, and they also executed 4 hit-and-runs.
"We've been playing good baseball," A.J. Pierzynski said. "We've been catching the ball, we've been pitching, we've been getting hits when we need them, two-out hits, doing the things right."
<p class="factboxheadblack">Scot Gregor's game tracker</p>
<p class="News">White Sox 8, Twins 7</p>
<p class="News"><b>Trouble at the top:</b> The Sox' first three hitters - Juan Pierre, Omar Vizquel and Alex Rios - were a combined 7-for-11 with 3 RBI and 3 runs scored.</p>
<p class="News"><b>Gutting it out:</b> Starting pitcher John Danks was roughed up for 6 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks in the second inning. The left-hander didn't allow any more runs while pitching 6 innings and getting the win.</p>
<p class="News"><b>Closing time:</b> Bobby Jenks entered the game in the eighth inning with two outs and the bases loaded. He struck out Orlando Hudson and allowed 1 run in the ninth before striking out Jim Thome with a runner on and converting his 15th straight save opportunity.</p>
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