2008 State of the Sox

June 17: White Sox 16, Pirates 5

The White Sox took a week's worth of frustration out on the Pirates, setting season highs in runs and hits.  And for a short time, it looked like they were going to need every bit of offense as Javier Vazquez blew two early leads.

Joe Crede killed a rally by grounding into a bases-loaded double play and Vazquez allowed five straight baserunnners to reach in the top of the second.  After the Sox blew another bases-loaded opportunity in the second, the Pirates had a 4-2 lead.

The Sox got the lead back by executing through an entire inning, starting with a Jermaine Dye homer, and ending with an Orlando Cabrera one-out sac fly -- and Vazquez gave up that lead, too, surrendering a no-doubter to Jose Bautista to tie the game at five.

Then the Sox went on to score the last 11 runs of the game.  Among the great news:

• Crooked numbers in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.
• Every Sox starter but one had at least two hits.
• Carlos Quentin was held hitless, but walked three times.
• After making an out on the very first pitch of the game, Cabrera went 3-for-3 with a walk and the sac fly.
• Nick Swisher was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two walks.
• Dewayne Wise had his first two hits in a Sox uniform.
• Jim Thome homered and doubled.

Vazquez, meanwhile, finally settled down long enough to pitch a scoreless fifth and sixth, leaving an inning apiece for Octavio Dotel, Nick Masset and Adam Russell for the easy victory since the Twins series.

Record: 39-31 | Box score | Play-by-play