2007 State of the Sox

September 22: White Sox 8, Twins 3

Jerry Owens started the game by lining a single through the box and stealing second.  Josh Fields bunted him to third, but Jim Thome struck out and Paul Konerko popped out to end the threat.

Fortunately, Owens didn't stop.  He went 5-for-6 with a run scored and three RBI, marking the finest day of his career.  He flew out to center in the ninth inning, spoiling his chance to have the first six-hit game for the White Sox since Lance Johnson did it almost 12 years ago to the date, also against the Twins.

He drove in two big runs in the second, once again going up the middle with the bases loaded to give Javier Vazquez a 3-0 lead, then stretched that lead to 5-0 two innings later with another single through the middle, driving in Danny Richar, who led the inning off with a triple.

The Sox pounded out 16 hits in total, and had six leadoff hitters reach in the first six innings..  Among the more notable performances:

• Darin Erstad had two singles and his fourth homer of the year, a no-doubt solo shot to right field.
• A.J. Pierzynski had two hits, although one of them was a gift double.  He would've been thrown out by plenty had Liu Rodriguez fielded the short hop.
• Jim Thome hit a moon shot just inside the right field line for his 32nd homer, and also beat the shift with a single through left.
• Josh Fields went 1-for-2 with two walks and racked up an outfield assist.  He misplayed a liner -- it ended up landing just in front of him -- but he snared the liner and made a nice throw to third for no damage done.
  

Javier Vazquez, meanwhile, pitched seven strong inning to win his 14th game, with the only blemish a two-run homer off the bat of Jason Kubel.  He struck out 11, giving him 204 on the season.

Record: 68-87 | Box score | Play-by-play