Hitting Their Stride

Story Line: Following a recent 4-2 homestand, the Sox pummel the Angels of Anaheim 17-3. The White Sox registered 24 hits on a night when Jim Thome surpassed Mike Schmidt on the all-time home run leader board, with his 549th round tripper.

First Time Since: It's the first time in 54 years that the White Sox had at least 20 more hits in one game than their opponent. On April 23, 1955, in a 29-6 win against Kansas City, the Sox out-hit the Athletics, 29-6, mirroring the final score.

Hitting Their Stride: Every Sox starter had at least one hit last night. Scott Podsednik (.303) and Alexei Rameriez (.243) each had four hits apiece, while Brian Anderson (.307) and A.J. Pierzynski (.273) raised their season averages with three hits apiece.

"Dank You": John Danks improved to 4-3 on the season, scattering four hits on three runs, while walking a career high six batters through six innings.

Santana Says: Angels starter Erwin Santana (0-2) was yanked in the second inning after surrendering nine hits to 13 batters. "Everything was OK but they just hit everything," Santana said. "I located my fastball, my breaking ball, but they hit it. Every time they saw a white thing, they just hit it. I'm not the only pitcher that's happened to. That happens to everybody. Next time, I'll come out and try to do my job better."

549: Jim Thome smacked number 549 last night in Anaheim. Thome passed Phillie great Mike Schmidt on the all-time home run list. Thome will now pursue the likes of Reggie Jackson who is number 11 on the list with 563 home runs.

Where's OsWaldo? Bench coach Joey Cora managed the White Sox for the third straight game Monday night. Ozzie Guillen was in Caracas, Venezuela, where his father-in-law died on Saturday and was buried on Sunday. Guillen is expected to rejoin the team Tuesday in Anaheim.

Next Up: Bartolo Colon (2-4, 4.23 ERA) will visit the mound in Anaheim tonight for the first time since he was a member of the Angels six years ago. The Angels will counter with staff ace Joe Saunders (6-2, 3.17 ERA).

Toothless Piranhas

Story Line: With the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox both coming off series sweeps at the hands of the opposition, one of the two teams were sure to snap their losing streak. With Mark Buehrle throwing for the Sox (6-1) and Scott Baker (1-5) tossing for the Twins, the odds certainly favored the Sox. The Sox pulled off a 6-2 win in front of 26, 696 on a beautiful night at U.S Cellular Field.

Same Old, Same Old: Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye both went deep for the Sox in Tuesday night's victory over the Twins. Unfortunately, the Sox rarely win games and do not hit the long ball. The Sox rank 19th in the Majors with 38 home runs. Since 2002 among major league clubs, the Sox finished in the top 10 in home runs each season, and led the league three different times.

On The Mark : Mark Buehrle continued to solidify his position as club pitching ace with two earned runs allowed in seven innings of work. The White Sox are 7-1 with Buehrle on the mound, as opposed to 9-21 when he isn't pitching.

Mark On Mark: "I owned them," Buehrle joked. "Obviously, we face them a lot of times. It seems like it goes back and forth. … Obviously I’m on one of those stretches now. Tonight was one of those games where I probably missed more spots tonight than I have in a lot of starts and I got lucky with them."

From The Mouth Of Gardie: "A little frustrating right now. We had a little meeting after the game and talked about trying to invent the game. They’re coming up with things. We’re trying to invent stuff. You can’t just do that in a game. You have to play the game," Gardenhire said. "It’s getting a little quiet on the bench and that’s not acceptable. We’re all about nine innings and getting after it. So we had a little bit of a talk about that."

My Two Cents: With only four victories in their past 16 games, it's hard to get excited over one lone victory. However, anytime you beat a division opponent, it can't be a bad thing. The Central is a weak division and it will probably take only 85 victories to win it. If the Sox can get some momentum going in the early summer months, they can avoid the dog fights we're so accustomed of seeing come mid September.

Up Next: Tonight 7:11 PM CST, MIN: Liriano (2-4) 5.21 ERA, CHW: Danks (2-3) 4.82 ERA

Paying Off?

This is Part 1 of a four part series on the 2009 White Sox payroll. Check out what your favorite player is getting paid for the 2009 season, and if they are earning their take based on the numbers 25 games into the season.

Mark Buehrle 2009 salary $14,000,000

ERA 3.30 W-L 4-0 SO 19
Buehrle is getting paid $86,419 per game, $28, 806 per hour, $9,602 each inning pitched

Jim Thome 2009 salary $13,000,000

BA .214 HR 4 RBI 14
Thome is batting just .185 against right-handers and a solid .375 against lefties.

In 71 at bats, Thome has struck out 39% of the time.

Thome is taking in $80,246 per game. $26,748 per hour or $20,061 per at bat (9 inning game)

Paul Konerko 2009 salary $12,000,000

BA .302 HR 3 RBI 18

Konerko has been the Sox most solid contributor at the plate. In 99 plate appearances, Paulie has only K'd 13.1 % of the time. $74,074 per game, $24,691 per hour.

Carlos Quentin 2009 salary $550,000

BA .253 HR 8 RBI 17

Quentin got off to a hot start this year, but his recent struggles have many suggesting his wrist is causing him problems at the plate. Quentin will be signing a new contract next year and big money is waiting for him. Quentin earns $3395 per game or $377 per inning.

Jermaine Dye 2009 salary $11,500,000

BA .292 HR 7 RBI 15

Dye has traditionally always hit better off of righties and this year has been no exception. Dye is batting .342 against right-handers, while hitting .235 against southpaws. Dye cashes in $70,987 per game, $23,662 per hour.

Those Stingless Rays

The only thing looking good for Devil Rays pitcher Matt Garza (1-1)Sunday afternoon was his sideburns. Matt Garza took the loss as the White Sox pummeled the Devil Rays 12-2 on Sunday. Garza allowed seven runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings, including a home run to A.J. Pierzynski in the second inning.
The pitching for the Southsiders was solid yet again, as Gavin Floyd (2-1) worked six scoreless innings. Sox manager Ozzie Guillen continues to feels confident with each Floyd start. "He's one of the top pitchers right now in the big leagues, and he continues to throw the ball well," Guillen said.
The pitching was only part of the days highlights. Brent Lilibridge, Chris Getz, Brian Anderson, Wilson Betemit, and Paul Konerko all contributed with timely hits. However, it was the power of the White Sox bats that again made it a difficult day for opposing pitchers. Carlos Quentin hit his third home run in as many games and Jim Thome followed with a solo shot of his own. The White Sox are now heading to Baltimore for a three game set before heading back home for a weekend series with the Blue Jays.
Loose Sox: Paul Konerko has nine RBIs over this last six games, including five in the past two games.
With Jim Thome's solo homer on Sunday, he is now four homers away from tying Mike Schmidt (548) for 13th place all-time.
SOX LEADER BOARD

Jermaine Dye
AVG .370

HR 4

RBI 9

Carlos Quentin
HR 7

OBP .426

RBI 13

Mr. CQ

It's quite apparent eleven games into the 2009 campaign who has some unfinished business from the 2008 season.
Carlos Quentin is certainly coming into his own. He already has six homers in just eleven games and is on pace to hit 95 this season. The 26 year old Stanford standout is just a half a year removed from wrist surgery. Carlos is showing "Tampa Bay Fans" exactly what they would have seen in last years ALDS had he got the chance. Through three games and 12 plate appearances in St. Pete, Quentin has four hits, three runs scored, two homers and three RBI's. One more game to go.
Quentin and Paul Konerko powered the Sox to an 8-3 victory over the Devil Rays on Saturday night. Konerko was extremely happy to see Scott Kazmir (2-1) on the hump for Tampa Bay. Paulie has seven hits and two homers in 15 at bats against the All-Star hurler. "We hit homers. That's us when we're going good," Konerko said. "We had a lot of people on base, but we're not a team that manufactures runs like some others. We've got guys that can hit some home runs and you have to do that once in a while in the American League."
Mark Buhrele (2-0) registered the win for the White Sox, striking out five and giving up eight hits in 6 2/3 innings. "He didn't have the best stuff today, but he's going to give you a chance every time," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. Gavin Floyd throws for the Sox on Sunday, completing the four game series in Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay counters with right hander Matt Garza. The Sox will have the day off Monday before travelling to Camden Yards to play three with the O's.

Loose Sox: Jermaine Dye knocked in his 1000 career RBI in the sixth inning of Saturday's game.

A LuLu Jim Dandy

Hawk Harrelson called this one a "LuLu Jim Dandy." That in itself deserves a seperate post; along with every other Hawkism. The White Sox took the first game of their series with the Devil Rays 3-2 down in St. Pete.

John Danks got his first victory of the season following a no decision back in Chicago. Danks was excellent, knocking out eight Rays batters, while allowing one run in six solid. Carlos Pena was responsible for Danks only mistake, a homer with one out in the sixth. It was the only run Danks has allowed in 12 innings this season. Danks improved his record to 4-1 against Tampa Bay. All the victories coming in Tampa.

It was the bats that were most frustrating to watch. The Pale Hose were 3-13 with runners in scoring position and only advanced a runner past home plate one of those times. Failure to advance runners and capitalize on runners in scoring position is something the Sox will need to address if they intend on contending. It was power that lifted the team once again. Jermaine Dye (3) homered off Tampa Bay starter Jeff Nieman (0-2) in the second inning. It was homer number 140 for Jermaine, since joining the White Sox in 2005. The Sox tagged the Rays pitchers for 14 hits, while only scoring three times. Josh Fields' infield single in the ninth inning turned out to be the difference. Fields entered Thursday night's game batting .333.

Tampa Bay threatened in the bottom of the ninth. With runners on second and third, with two outs, Bobby Jenks got Gabe Gross to hit into a 3 unassisted. Bobby Jenks earned his third save.

Loose Sox

Following the end of the 3:10 game, Hawk belted out MERCY and THIS BALL GAME IS OOOOOVER; then added "This was a LULU JIm Dandy of a game."

Attendace at Thurday's game drew only 13,803. This was a home opener.