White Sox beat Yanks again in 14-4 rout

Posted July 31, 2009 11:00 pm

Scot Gregor

This is one of the first things manager Ozzie Guillen said after the White Sox finally landed Jake Peavy on Friday in a trade from the San Diego Padres:

"We've got one guy we wanted for a long time," Guillen said. "I hope the ballclub wakes up and starts hitting the way we should."

The Sox promptly went out and scored 10 runs in a victory over the New York Yankees at U.S. Cellular Field, and they followed up with a 14-4 romp Saturday.

"It just adds to the momentum we have worked up right now," outfielder Scott Podsednik said of the Peavy addition. "Whenever he gets back, we are going to have two legitimate No. 1s in the rotation. So hopefully he can get his leg taken care of and join me and the guys and keep this going."

The White Sox' offense has been going wild against the Yankees, who are in danger of absorbing a four-game sweep after winning 11 of 13 to open the second half of the season.

Every Sox starter had at least 1 hit Saturday, with Podsednik, A.J. Pierzynski and Chris Getz leading the way with 3 each. Podsednik equaled his career high with 4 RBI, and Gordon Beckham also drove in 4 to establish a career high.

And don't forget about Jayson Nix, who drew 4 walks, 2 with the bases loaded.

"I always believe we're going to score some runs with the type of lineup we have," Guillen said. "Our offense, it's been kind of a weird year, up-and-down year. When we get cold, we're really cold, but when we're hot - that happens when you've got the type of lineup we have.

"But I think a lot of things have to do with the kids in the top and the bottom of the lineup. It has to. Because those kids keep things going, keep things going. When the big boys come to bat, the majority of the time, those kids are on base. That helps."

Getz batted eighth and was 3-for-5. Nix batted ninth and was 1-for-1 to go along the 4 walks.

No wonder the Sox' No. 1 and 2 hitters, Podsednik and Beckham, combined for 8 RBI.

"Did we really?" Beckham asked. "That's good. That means the guys at the bottom of the lineup are getting on and doing a lot of good things. Jayson Nix had 2 or 3 at-bats today that were just unbelievable and then get walks out of them. That's some serious discipline to do that."

The White Sox were 8-for-19 with runners in scoring position against Yankees starter A.J. Burnett and four relievers.

"These guys deserve all the credit," said Sox starter John Danks (9-7), who pitched 6 innings and allowed 4 runs on 7 hits and 4 walks. "My job was to stay out of the way, and it seemed like I was trying to hold us back there at times, walking guys with a 4-, 5-, 6-run lead, and really just not being super-aggressive.

"Obviously, I wasn't trying to walk anyone. But in that situation you've got to do everything you can to have them put the ball in play, and I just didn't do it. But hats off to these guys for going out there and scoring 14 runs."

Chris Getz slides safe into home plate after he and Carlos Quentin scored off a single by Scott Podsednik during the second inning . Associated Press

Scot Gregor's game tracker White Sox 14, Yankees 4 Friday's grade: A. The Sox pounded out 17 hits and drew 6 walks in another lopsided win over New York. Walk this way: Jayson Nix drew 4 walks, the most by a White Sox player since Jim Thome also had 4 at Texas on April 19, 2007. Konerko's OK: Paul Konerko had to leave the game after being hit in the thigh by A.J. Burnett in the fifth inning. Konerko said he's going to play today. Peavy watch: Jake Peavy was in uniform and he watched the game from the Sox' dugout. Peavy also played catch in the indoor batting cage. On tap: Mark Buehrle and CC Sabathia start against each other for the 10th time today. Buehrle is 0-5 with an ERA close to 6.00 vs. Sabathia.