GAME THREAD: AL: CHI WHITE SOX (40-50) at CLEVELAND (54-37)

AL: CHI WHITE SOX at CLEVELAND

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CHI WHITE SOX (11) AT CLEVELAND (10) - HOW THEY SCORED
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CHI WHITE SOX 1ST: J Owens singled to center. T Iguchi walked, J Owens to
second. J Thome singled to center, J Owens scored, T Iguchi to second.
P Konerko struck out swinging. A Pierzynski grounded into fielder's choice to
second, J Thome out at second, T Iguchi to third. J Dye struck out swinging.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 1, CLEVELAND 0.

CHI WHITE SOX 2ND: R Mackowiak grounded out to shortstop. J Fields singled
to left. J Uribe singled to center, J Fields to third. J Owens grounded into
fielder's choice to shortstop, J Fields scored, J Uribe out at second. J Owens
stole second. T Iguchi struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHI WHITE SOX 2, CLEVELAND 0.

CLEVELAND 4TH: V Martinez homered to left. T Hafner walked. J Peralta
doubled to deep left center, T Hafner to third. R Garko hit sacrifice fly to
left, T Hafner scored. J Michaels grounded out to shortstop. F Gutierrez
flied out to right. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 2, CLEVELAND 2.

CHI WHITE SOX 6TH: A Pierzynski doubled to deep center. J Dye singled to
center, A Pierzynski to third. R Mackowiak reached on infield single to first,
A Pierzynski scored, J Dye to second. J Fields sacrificed to third, J Dye to
third, R Mackowiak to second. J Uribe intentionally walked. J Owens singled
to right, J Dye and R Mackowiak scored, J Uribe to third. F Cabrera relieved
C Lee. T Iguchi hit sacrifice fly to left, J Uribe scored. J Thome doubled to
right, J Owens to third. P Konerko homered to left, J Owens and J Thome
scored. A Pierzynski singled to right center. J Dye doubled to deep left,
A Pierzynski to third. R Mackowiak doubled to deep left, A Pierzynski and J Dye
scored. J Lewis relieved F Cabrera. J Fields walked. J Uribe struck out
swinging. (9 Runs, 9 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 11, CLEVELAND 2.

CLEVELAND 6TH: T Hafner reached on infield single to third. J Peralta
grounded into fielder's choice to third, T Hafner out at second. R Garko
singled to left, J Peralta to second. J Michaels flied out to right, J Peralta
to third. F Gutierrez homered to left, J Peralta and R Garko scored. N Masset
relieved J Danks. J Barfield popped out to shortstop. (3 Runs, 3 Hits,
0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 11, CLEVELAND 5.

CLEVELAND 8TH: R Garko singled to right. R Bukvich relieved M Thornton.
J Michaels singled to center, R Garko to second. F Gutierrez singled to center,
R Garko to third, J Michaels to second. J Barfield grounded out to third,
R Garko scored, J Michaels to third, F Gutierrez to second. B Logan relieved
R Bukvich. G Sizemore walked. C Blake safe at first on error by shortstop
J Uribe, J Michaels scored, F Gutierrez to third, G Sizemore to second.
V Martinez hit sacrifice fly to left, F Gutierrez scored. G Sizemore to third,
C Blake to second on wild pitch by B Logan. T Hafner singled to right, G Sizemore
and C Blake scored. B Francisco ran for T Hafner. D Day relieved B Logan.
J Peralta grounded out to second. (5 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error) CHI WHITE SOX 11,
CLEVELAND 10.</div>

 

Nine-run sixth fuels White Sox past Indians

<h3>CHI WHITE SOX 11, CLEVELAND 10</h3>CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- The Chicago White Sox bats are showingsigns of life.


The White Sox scored a season-high nine runs in the sixth inningand then barely hung on to defeat the Cleveland Indians, 11-10,on Monday.


Rookie Jerry Owens, Rob Mackowiak and Paul Konerko each hadthree RBI to lead Chicago's offensive attack.


Chicago, who entered the game with the fewest runs scored in themajors, continued its hot hitting in July. The White Sox havescored 83 runs in the month, second most in the majors, and havehit 22 home runs in July, most in the majors.


A.J. Pierzynski, Jermaine Dye and Rob Mackowiak each had twohits in the sixth as the White Sox banged out nine hits and sent14 batters to the plate.


With the game tied at 2-2, Pierzynski started the rally with adouble off Indians starter Cliff Lee to the gap in right-center.Dye followed with a single to center and Mackowiak hit alittle squibber for an infield RBI base-hit.


Josh Fields advanced Dye and Mackowiak with a sacrifice bunt.Lee then intentionally walked Juan Uribe to load the bases forOwens. The move backfired as Owens singled to right, driving intwo more runs and making it 5-2 and ending Lee's night.

Tadahito Iguchi greeted Cleveland reliever Fernando Cabrera withsacrifice fly to deep left field, scoring Uribe. Jim Thomekept the inning going with a double down the right field lineand Paul Konerko cleared the bases with a three-run blast off ofCabrera to the left field bleachers for his 18th homer.

The White Sox, however, kept swinging the bats, as Pierzynskisingled and Dye followed with a double. Mackowiak would bringthem both home with a double to left to cap the scoring in thesixth.


Despite the 11-2 lead, the game was far from over.

Franklin Gutierrez hit a three-run homer off White Sox starterJohn Denks in the sixth to bring the Indians within 11-5.

Cleveland scored five runs in the eighth to get within one.Ryan Garko, Jason Michaels and Gutierrez each singled to startthe inning. Josh Barfield brought a run home with an RBIgroundout. A walk to Grady Sizemore loaded the bases and JuanUribe booted Casey's Blake grounder to make the score 11-7.

Martinez then followed with a sacrifice fly to left and after aBoone Logan wild pitch, Indians slugger Travis Hafner hit asingle to bring the Indians within one, at 11-10.


Cleveland would not be able to complete the comeback though asDewon Day induced Jhonny Peralta to ground out to end the eighthand Bobby Jenks pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his 25thsave in 29 opportunities.


Denks (6-6) benefited from the offensive support. Denks, whohadn't pitched in 11 days, allowed five runs on eight hits in 51/3 innings.


Chicago grabbed an early lead against Lee. The White Sox scoreda run in the first on a Thome RBI single and a run in thesecond on an Owens RBI groundout.


Owens entered the game without an RBI in his first 98 at-bats inthe majors.


It was the second consecutive rough start for Lee. Lee, whoallowed five runs in four innings in his last start before theAll-Star break, gave up seven runs on nine hits in 5 1/3innings.


Martinez also homered for the Indians, as the loss spoiled theannouncement of manager Eric Wedge's contract extension earlierin the day.

 

AL: CHI WHITE SOX at CLEVELAND

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CHI WHITE SOX (11) AT CLEVELAND (10) - EVENT LOG
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Chi White Sox Starting Lineups -- J Owens CF, T Iguchi 2B, J Thome DH,
P Konerko 1B, A Pierzynski C, J Dye RF, R Mackowiak LF, J Fields 3B, J Uribe SS,
J Danks LHP.

Cleveland Starting Lineups -- G Sizemore CF, C Blake 3B, V Martinez C, T Hafner DH,
J Peralta SS, R Garko 1B, J Michaels LF, F Gutierrez RF, J Barfield 2B, C Lee LHP.

Umpires -- Rob Drake (HP), Tim Tschida (1B), Jim Joyce (2B), Jim Wolf (3B).


Gametime Weather: 78 degrees, Cloudy, wind left to right at 4 mph.


CHI WHITE SOX 1ST: J Owens singled to center. T Iguchi walked, J Owens to
second. J Thome singled to center, J Owens scored, T Iguchi to second.
P Konerko struck out swinging. A Pierzynski grounded into fielder's choice to
second, J Thome out at second, T Iguchi to third. J Dye struck out swinging.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 1, CLEVELAND 0.

CLEVELAND 1ST: G Sizemore lined out to left. C Blake struck out swinging.
V Martinez flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 1,
CLEVELAND 0.

CHI WHITE SOX 2ND: R Mackowiak grounded out to shortstop. J Fields singled
to left. J Uribe singled to center, J Fields to third. J Owens grounded into
fielder's choice to shortstop, J Fields scored, J Uribe out at second. J Owens
stole second. T Iguchi struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHI WHITE SOX 2, CLEVELAND 0.

CLEVELAND 2ND: T Hafner grounded out to second. J Peralta singled to left.
R Garko struck out looking. J Michaels flied out to center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 2, CLEVELAND 0.

CHI WHITE SOX 3RD: J Thome singled to right. P Konerko grounded into
fielder's choice to shortstop, J Thome out at second. A Pierzynski flied out
to center. J Dye lined out to left. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 2,
CLEVELAND 0.

CLEVELAND 3RD: F Gutierrez doubled to deep right center. J Barfield struck
out swinging, F Gutierrez stole third. G Sizemore fouled out to catcher.
C Blake grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 2,
CLEVELAND 0.

CHI WHITE SOX 4TH: R Mackowiak grounded out to second. J Fields struck out
looking. J Uribe flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 2,
CLEVELAND 0.

CLEVELAND 4TH: V Martinez homered to left. T Hafner walked. J Peralta
doubled to deep left center, T Hafner to third. R Garko hit sacrifice fly to
left, T Hafner scored. J Michaels grounded out to shortstop. F Gutierrez
flied out to right. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 2, CLEVELAND 2.

CHI WHITE SOX 5TH: J Owens bunt grounded out to second. T Iguchi fouled
out to first. J Thome walked. P Konerko struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 2, CLEVELAND 2.

CLEVELAND 5TH: J Barfield flied out to left. G Sizemore grounded out to
first. C Blake tripled to deep center. V Martinez struck out swinging.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 2, CLEVELAND 2.

CHI WHITE SOX 6TH: A Pierzynski doubled to deep center. J Dye singled to
center, A Pierzynski to third. R Mackowiak reached on infield single to first,
A Pierzynski scored, J Dye to second. J Fields sacrificed to third, J Dye to
third, R Mackowiak to second. J Uribe intentionally walked. J Owens singled
to right, J Dye and R Mackowiak scored, J Uribe to third. F Cabrera relieved
C Lee. T Iguchi hit sacrifice fly to left, J Uribe scored. J Thome doubled to
right, J Owens to third. P Konerko homered to left, J Owens and J Thome
scored. A Pierzynski singled to right center. J Dye doubled to deep left,
A Pierzynski to third. R Mackowiak doubled to deep left, A Pierzynski and J Dye
scored. J Lewis relieved F Cabrera. J Fields walked. J Uribe struck out
swinging. (9 Runs, 9 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 11, CLEVELAND 2.

CLEVELAND 6TH: T Hafner reached on infield single to third. J Peralta
grounded into fielder's choice to third, T Hafner out at second. R Garko
singled to left, J Peralta to second. J Michaels flied out to right, J Peralta
to third. F Gutierrez homered to left, J Peralta and R Garko scored. N Masset
relieved J Danks. J Barfield popped out to shortstop. (3 Runs, 3 Hits,
0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 11, CLEVELAND 5.

CHI WHITE SOX 7TH: J Owens walked. T Iguchi struck out swinging. J Thome
walked, J Owens to second. P Konerko flied out to center. A Pierzynski popped
out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 11, CLEVELAND 5.

CLEVELAND 7TH: G Sizemore popped out to second. C Blake walked.
V Martinez hit by pitch, C Blake to second. M Thornton relieved N Masset.
T Hafner struck out swinging. J Peralta grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 11, CLEVELAND 5.

CHI WHITE SOX 8TH: J Stanford relieved J Lewis. J Dye popped out to first.
R Mackowiak struck out swinging. J Fields singled to center. J Uribe struck
out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 11, CLEVELAND 5.

CLEVELAND 8TH: R Garko singled to right. R Bukvich relieved M Thornton.
J Michaels singled to center, R Garko to second. F Gutierrez singled to center,
R Garko to third, J Michaels to second. J Barfield grounded out to third,
R Garko scored, J Michaels to third, F Gutierrez to second. B Logan relieved
R Bukvich. G Sizemore walked. C Blake safe at first on error by shortstop
J Uribe, J Michaels scored, F Gutierrez to third, G Sizemore to second.
V Martinez hit sacrifice fly to left, F Gutierrez scored. G Sizemore to third,
C Blake to second on wild pitch by B Logan. T Hafner singled to right, G Sizemore
and C Blake scored. B Francisco ran for T Hafner. D Day relieved B Logan.
J Peralta grounded out to second. (5 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error) CHI WHITE SOX 11,
CLEVELAND 10.

CHI WHITE SOX 9TH: R Perez relieved J Stanford. J Owens struck out looking.
T Iguchi struck out swinging. J Thome struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 11, CLEVELAND 10.

CLEVELAND 9TH: B Jenks relieved D Day. R Garko grounded out to first.
T Nixon hit for J Michaels. T Nixon struck out swinging. F Gutierrez singled to
right. F Gutierrez stole second. J Barfield fouled out to catcher. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 11, CLEVELAND 10.</div>

 

Nine-run sixth fuels White Sox past Indians

<h3>CHI WHITE SOX 11, CLEVELAND 10</h3>CLEVELAND (Ticker) -- It was tough to tell the Chicago WhiteSox had just won the game.


The White Sox scored a season-high nine runs in the sixth inningand then watched as their bullpen nearly gave it away asChicago defeated the Cleveland Indians, 11-10, on Monday.

Rookie Jerry Owens, Rob Mackowiak and Paul Konerko each hadthree RBI to lead Chicago's offensive attack.


Chicago, which entered the game with the fewest runs scored inthe majors, continued its hot hitting in July. The White Soxhave scored 83 runs in the month, second most in the majors, andhave hit 22 home runs in July, most in the majors.

"We've been swinging pretty good," Konerko said. "It's going tobe tough to make up the numbers, where we think we should be.But before the season ends, we'll be OK."


But that was the furthest thing on White Sox manager OzzieGuillen's mind after the game.


"I talked to (General Manager Ken Williams) after the game toldhim, 'It felt like we lost."


The Chicago bullpen almost blew another game and since May 8,Chicago relievers have an ERA of 7.52.


"You see this for two months, you can't deal with it," Guillensaid. "It's funny. I have never seen anything like thisbefore."


After the game, the White Sox sent down reliever Nick Masset andGuillen hinted that more changes might be on the way.

"We have a couple of guys down (in the minors) that are ready torelieve," Guillen said.


The game looked like a replay from the White Sox first gameafter the All-Star break.


In that game, Chicago had a 9-1 lead entering the ninth beforehanging on for a 9-7 victory. The White Sox then went onto losethe next three games.


"This is the type of game that can get you down for awhile,"Guillen said. "It happened in Baltimore. We won the first gameand then lost the next three."


Despite the 11-2 lead, the game was far from over, especiallywith the way the White Sox bullpen has been pitching as late.

Franklin Gutierrez hit a three-run homer off White Sox starterJohn Danks in the sixth to bring the Indians within 11-5.

Cleveland scored five runs in the eighth to get within one. RyanGarko, Jason Michaels and Gutierrez each singled to start theinning. Josh Barfield brought a run home with an RBI groundout.A walk to Grady Sizemore loaded the bases and Juan Uribe bootedCasey's Blake grounder to make the score 11-7.


Martinez then followed with a sacrifice fly to left and after aBoone Logan wild pitch, Indians slugger Travis Hafner hit asingle to bring the Indians within one, at 11-10.


Cleveland would not be able to complete the comeback though asDewon Day induced Jhonny Peralta to ground out to end the eighthand Bobby Jenks pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his 25thsave in 29 opportunities.


"I'm not bringing Bobby Jenks in the eighth anymore to bailthose guys out," Guillen said. "I don't care if we lose. Wehave lost, what, 50 games? I rather lose 50 more games than useBobby Jenks in the eighth."


A.J. Pierzynski, Jermaine Dye and Rob Mackowiak each had twohits in the sixth as the White Sox banged out nine hits and sent14 batters to the plate as the White Sox built up their ninerun advantage.


With the game tied at 2-2, Pierzynski started the rally with adouble off Indians starter Cliff Lee to the gap in right-center.Dye followed with a single to center and Mackowiak hit a littlesquibber for an infield RBI base-hit.


Josh Fields advanced Dye and Mackowiak with a sacrifice bunt.Lee then intentionally walked Juan Uribe to load the bases forOwens. The move backfired as Owens singled to right, driving intwo more runs and making it 5-2 and ending Lee's night.

"The breaks weren't going my way," Lee said. "I think they hadfive broken-bat hits and I think they had two in (the sixth).Dye had a broken-bat hit. They scored the run on the infieldhit. Then they bunted the runners over and the intentionalwalk. Then there was the ground ball that just got past Garko.If that ball is two feet the other way, it's a double play. Itseemed like every time they hit it, the ball had eyes."

Tadahito Iguchi greeted Cleveland reliever Fernando Cabrera withsacrifice fly to deep left field, scoring Uribe. Jim Thomekept the inning going with a double down the right field lineand Paul Konerko cleared the bases with a three-run blast off ofCabrera to the left field bleachers for his 18th homer.

The White Sox, however, kept swinging the bats, as Pierzynskisingled and Dye followed with a double. Mackowiak would bringthem both home with a double to left to cap the scoring in thesixth.


Indians manager Eric Wedge was also less than pleased with theeffort of his bullpen.


"It's imperative for us to stay close when we're behind," hesaid. "You know sooner or later, we'll give ourselves anopportunity to come back. It's important for everyone in thebullpen to contribute to keeping us in the game."


Danks (6-6) benefited from the offensive support. Denks, whohadn't pitched in 11 days, allowed five runs on eight hits in 52/3 innings.


"I felt like I could have gone seven or eight innings, but I raninto trouble in the sixth," Danks said Chicago grabbed an earlylead against Lee.


The White Sox scored a run in the first on a Thome RBI singleand a run in the second on an Owens RBI groundout.

It was the second consecutive rough start for Lee. Lee, whoallowed five runs in four innings in his last start before theAll-Star break, gave up seven runs on nine hits in 5 1/3innings.


Martinez also homered for the Indians, as the loss spoiled theannouncement of Wedge's contract extension earlier in the day.

"We did not win the ballgame, but that doesn't take anythingaway from our guys," Wedge said. "When you're down 11-2 and youcome back, if you want something that defines character, thatsays it all."