Thome lets bat do all his talking
After homering for the third consecutive game Sunday -- and running his career total to 498 -- White Sox designated hitter Jim Thome politely declined to meet the media.
On this day, Thome just let his bat do the talking with a solo home run in the eighth inning off Twins relief pitcher Juan Rincon.
"Anytime you get in a groove hitting home runs, they usually come in bunches,'' said Sox right fielder Jermaine Dye. "I think he wants to do it on this homestand.''
Thome is just two long flies away from reaching the coveted 500 plateau, and he has a chance to make history in the three-game series against the Cleveland Indians that opens tonight at U.S. Cellular Field.
Thome played for the Indians from 1993-2002, and he is Cleveland's all-time home run leader with 334.
"He had a great career there,'' said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "Cleveland fans and that organization should thank him for all he did there. I think Jim Thome put the Cleveland Indians back on the baseball map when he was there.''
Thome is a lifetime 2-for-9 (no home runs) against Fausto Carmona, who starts for the Indians tonight.
Same old, same old: Johan Santana can be beaten.
While the Minnesota Twins' ace starter again got the best of the White Sox on Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field, Santana is 0-5 against the first-place Cleveland Indians this season.
"I asked the Cleveland people, 'Why do you have so much success against Santana this season?' '' Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "They said, 'Well, we just go out and swing. We don't look for any pitch or any situation or any fastball, just whatever you see go and hack.' ''
It has been a disappointing season for Santana (15-11), the American League's defending Cy Young Award winner. But he improved his career record against the White Sox to 13-5 (3-0 this season), pitching 7 innings Sunday and allowing 1 run on 5 hits while striking out 10.
After addressing the media following Saturday's win over the Twins, Guillen spotted Santana's father in the hallway.
"I told his dad I was going to kidnap him,'' Guillen said. "This kid is one of the best in the league and one of the hardest for us. He's a Cy Young winner for a reason.''
Scouting report
White Sox vs. Cleveland Indians at U.S. Cellular Field
TV: Comcast SportsNet today; Channel 26 Tuesday; Channel 9 Wednesday
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups: The White Sox' Gavin Floyd (1-2) vs. Fausto Carmona (15-8) today at 7:11 p.m.; John Danks (6-13) vs. Paul Byrd (14-6) Tuesday at 7:11 p.m.; Javier Vazquez (11-8) vs. Jake Westbrook (5-8) Wednesday at 1:05 p.m.
At a glance: The Sox are 6-9 against the first-place Indians this season (2-4 at home). Jerry Owens is 3-for-5 vs. Carmona this season. Danks makes his first start since Aug. 30 at Texas. The rookie left-hander has lost his last 7 decisions.
Next: Los Angeles Angels, Friday-Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field
-- Scot Gregor