Sox enjoy a (nearly) perfect trip to Tampa Bay

Posted April 19, 2009 11:00 pm

Scot Gregor

Leave it to A.J. Pierzynski to spoil a good thing.

"To be honest with you, we felt like we should have won all four games," the White Sox' catcher told reporters after Sunday's 12-2 win over the Rays at Tropicana Field.

Pierzynski usually speaks the truth, and he's right about the Sox being positioned to win all four in their series against Tampa Bay, the American League defending champions.

After winning the series opener Thursday, the White Sox couldn't hold a 5-2 lead Friday and fell to the Rays 6-5.

But there's no doubt the Sox are feeling good about themselves after bouncing back with decisive wins in the final two games while outscoring Tampa Bay 20-5.

"It's good to come in here and win because this is a tough place to play," Pierzynski said. "It was a great series to come in here and win three out of four."

While improving to 4-2 on a road trip that has three more games in Baltimore starting Tuesday night, the White Sox (7-5) once again used a patient offensive approach against temperamental starter Matt Garza, knocking the right-hander out of the game with two outs in the sixth inning.

Garza allowed 7 runs on 6 hits and 5 walks. On Saturday, the Sox drew 10 walks in an 8-3 victory.

The White Sox also displayed more power, getting another home run from Carlos Quentin - his third in as many games. The left fielder has 7 HRs overall, most in the major leagues.

Pierzynski put the Sox in front early with a 2-run homer in the second inning, and Jim Thome hit a solo home run in the eighth inning.

"To beat these guys, you've got to be on the top of your game," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said.

The Sox' starting pitching has been borderline brilliant through the first two weeks of the season, and Gavin Floyd turned in another quality effort Sunday while allowing 2 runs on 6 hits over 7 innings.

"He's one of the top pitchers right now in the big leagues, and he continues to throw the ball well," Guillen said.

Floyd had a shutout until the seventh inning, when Ben Zobrist hit a 2-run homer with one out.

"I just wanted to attack the hitters with whatever I was throwing out there and try to execute pitches," Floyd said. "I found a rhythm and went after it."

Jim Thome congratulates teammate Carlos Quentin on his two-run home run in the eighth inning. Thome would follow with a home run of his own in the 12-2 White Sox win. Associated Press

Gregor's game tracker Sunday's grade: A+. The White Sox aren't going to play this type of standout all-around baseball the entire season - and neither is any other major-league team. Enjoy it while it lasts. Any questions? About Carlos Quentin's surgically repaired right wrist, that is? If he stays healthy, it looks like Quentin is going to make a strong push at winning an award he would have claimed in 2008: American League MVP. Closing in: In addition to scoring 4 runs Sunday, Jim Thome hit career home run No. 544. The DH is 4 shy of Mike Schmidt for 13th on the all-time list. Thome is also 2 RBI shy of 1,500. Just asking: Is there a better .150 hitter in baseball than Brent Lillibridge? On tap: Crab cakes in Baltimore. The Sox have a well-earned day off today before opening a three-game series against the Orioles at Camden Yards on Tuesday night.

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