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