The White Sox used plenty of power to defeat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Monday. The Sox, who had been humbled by the Minnesota Twins 20-1 on Thursday and who managed only nine runs in a series against Pittsburgh, pounded out 24 hits against the Angels in the first of a three-game set. The Sox normally struggle out West, but the performance against Anaheim may put to rest some of the speculation about the team's struggling offense.
How They Scored
The Sox opened the scoring off Ervin Santana in the first, thanks to RBI singles from Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome and an RBI double from leftfielder Carlos Quentin, who left the game on the play after aggravating his foot injury.
Sox starter John Danks gave the runs right back to the Angels in the bottom half of the first, but Dye added his 12th homer of the season in the top half of the second inning as the Sox continued to pour on the power.
Historic Homer
Thome's three-run shot in the third allowed him to pass Mike Schmidt for 13th on the all-time home run list. Thome, who said after the game that he was humbled, now has 549 career home runs. Like Schmidt, Thome once had a streak of nine consecutive seasons in which he hit 30 or more homers. After Thome's streak ended, he had three more such seasons, bringing him to a total of 12. He also played for the Phillies, as did Schmidt.
Thome's quiet climb up the charts has been steady, and as long as the slugger's balky back holds up, he will continue his quest to move up in the record books.
Sox Looking to Continue Power Surge
One of the main storylines for the Sox so far has been the offense, or lack there of. It's hard to say if the high output will continue, but if it does, the Sox may be in good position for a playoff run, especially as the weather warms up. U.S. Cellular Field, the Sox home park, is known as a home-run launching pad, and the Sox may be able to take advantage. The team has struggled a lot in the early going, so more games like Monday's will help, even if the run total is a little lower.
Of course, the pitching needs to improve, too. But during the Pittsburgh series, the Sox blanked the Pirates in the first two games and allowed only four runs in the series finale, a game in which the Sox were one out from winning. So perhaps the Sox are improving in that aspect of the game, as well. Either way, the Sox are still in the American League Central race.
Tim Healey - I am a freelance writer specializing in sports and automotive interests. In my spare time, I run, listen to good music, explore my city. ...
