Quentin's blast helps get job done
This one had it all.
On the plus side for the White Sox, Wednesday afternoon's game against the Texas Rangers at U.S. Cellular Field featured 2 more home runs from emerging MVP candidate Carlos Quentin - including a 3-run shot in the eighth inning that decided the outcome.
It featured spectacular defensive plays from second baseman Alexei Ramirez and right fielder Jermaine Dye.
It featured a decent major-league debut from starting pitcher Clayton Richard.
On the negative side, the Sox committed 4 errors early in the game that allowed the Rangers to build an 8-4 lead.
And manager Ozzie Guillen figures to be $1,000 lighter in the wallet after being ejected by home-plate umpire Rob Drake, who had a rough day calling balls and strikes.
But winning is the only thing that really matters, so the White Sox were fired up after charging back to beat the Rangers 10-8.
"It showed me something,'' Guillen said. "I think we played real poorly early in the game - real bad baseball. I don't think I remember a game we played that bad, defensively, early. We couldn't help Richard. But they never give up. They're always going to have a chance.
"Once again, they can play without me, but I can't manage without them.''
Should Guillen receive manager of the year consideration this season, he'll owe much of the attention to Quentin.
After hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning to cut the Rangers' lead to 6-4, Quentin came to the plate in the eighth with two on, two outs and Texas clinging to an 8-7 lead.
C.J. Wilson came out of the bullpen for the Rangers, and Quentin hit the animated closer's first pitch over the fence in left-center to lift the Sox to their second straight win.
Quentin leads the American League with 26 home runs, and the 25-year-old left fielder ranks near the top with 76 RBI.
"Every player wants to be able to go out and produce for the team,'' Quentin said. "I've been fortunate enough to be in situations to do that and to come through in some key situations all year.''
First baseman Paul Konerko can only marvel at Quentin's rapid ascent.
"He knows about hitting, and you watch his approach and watch his pregame, he's just solid as a rock, so it doesn't surprise me he's producing hits,'' Konerko said. "You still have to have that attitude to get it done, and he's locked in.''
Quentin was looking for a fastball from Wilson, and he got one.
"He's batting third for a reason,'' Guillen said. "This kid has carried the load, and he's not afraid to be the man.''
Wilson irritated Guillen with his antics after striking out Jim Thome and Konerko on July 13 to end the final game before the all-star break.
Did Quentin get any extra satisfaction over getting the game-winning hit off the reliever?
"I don't really want to comment on that,'' Quentin said. "It's in the past. It's over. I wasn't thinking going up there, 'I'm going to get him,' or whatever happened in the past. I was up there to compete. He's the closer and I had to be ready, and that was it.''
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=223085">Richard impresses Guillen; will start Tuesday vs. Twins <span class="date"> [7/23/08]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=223088">After tweaking back, Crede decides not to push it<span class="date"> [7/23/08]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>