Sox (19 hits) take big bite out of Pirates' pitching
The Cubs have been feasting on the Pittsburgh Pirates all season.
On Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field, the White Sox got the chance to pull a chair up to the table.
Seemingly in trouble after the Pirates erased a 2-0 deficit with 4 runs in the second inning off starter Javier Vazquez, the Sox countered with 3 runs in the third, 2 runs in the fifth, 3 runs in the sixth and 5 more in the seventh inning while rolling to a 16-5 interleague victory.
Pittsburgh is 3-9 against the Cubs.
More Coverage Stories White Sox put Konerko on 15-day DL [6/17/08]
The White Sox reached season highs in runs and hits (19), and every starter except slumping left fielder Carlos Quentin (0-for-2, 3 walks, sacrifice fly) had at least 2 hits.
"Hopefully this week is the one where we explode and swing the bats like we know we can,'' said Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, undoubtedly looking ahead to the weekend showdown with the Cubs at Wrigley Field. "It's always fun, but we don't want to do it just for one day.''
The Sox also hit 4 home runs in the blowout, including a 3-run shot by Jim Thome in the seventh. Thome has 521 career home runs, tying him for 16th place in major-league history with Ted Williams and Willie McCovey.
The White Sox played without Paul Konerko, who is on the 15-day disabled lit with a strained left oblique muscle.
"Losing him is a big hole for us to fill,'' said Nick Swisher, who will play first base in Konerko's absence. "Not only all the things that he's capable of doing on the field, but all the things he bring to us in the locker room. He's the king. He's our leader.
"But I know regardless of whether he's on the field, he's going to help lead as best he can. It's tough to see him go down, but having gone through something like that, I totally want him to get better because that's something that will bother you, not only this year, but years on end.''
The Pirates bothered the Sox early, but they quickly faded.
Pittsburgh starter Ian Snell was wild from the first inning until he departed after the fourth while allowing 7 runs on 9 hits and 6 walks.
Vazquez had a rough night himself, giving up 5 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks over 6 innings.
"He struggled the whole game,'' Guillen said. "But he battled. When you're erratic like that and you pitch 6 innings, it helps the ballclub.''
Losing Konerko figures to hurt, but as the Sox showed against the Pirates, they have plenty of other offensive weapons.
"When you lose your fourth hitter, the lineup is going to be a little weaker,'' Guillen said. "But I expect those guys to step it up a notch and they know we're going to miss him for a couple days. And we have to deal with that.''
The White Sox dealt with it pretty well, at least for one night.
"(Konerko's) been battling through some bumps and bruises, and I'd say probably a little more than the rest of us,'' Swisher said. "And he hasn't said a word, just battled and grinded it out.
"He's kind of had that unlucky streak like I had a little bit ago. It's tough to see him go, but we know he'll be right here with us the whole way.''
White Sox 16, Pirates 5
At the plate: The Sox reached season highs in runs and hits (19). Jim Thome hit one of 4 White Sox home runs, a 3-run shot in the seventh inning. Thome is now tied with Ted Williams and Willie McCovey for 16th place on the all-time list with 521 homers. A.J. Pierzynski (3-for-6) extended his hitting streak to 12 games.
On the mound: Starter Javier Vazquez got the win even though he allowed 5 runs on 5 hits over 6 innings. Adam Russell pitched 1 scoreless inning.
-- Scot Gregor