Another Doggy Style Win

SOX 9, ROYALS 7

Nobody can say that the Sox have been boring in this first month of the season, and nobody can say that they don't play for a full nine (sometimes more) innings either. Thanks to a lengthy rain delay I didn't see very much of it, but the Sox notched their NINTH come from behind victory of this month yesterday, this time coming back from a 4-1 (and later a 7-6) deficit to top the Royals 9-7.

Javier Vazquez got his mandatory catastrophic inning out of the way early, giving up 4 runs in the first last night, 2 of which came on a Ross Gload triple. He was solid thereafter though, and the Sox scored in 5 of the last 6 innings, including 2 in the ninth when the Royals' defense disintegrated, to come away with a 2 game sweep in KC.

Notable last night was that AJ Pierzynski was batting cleanup, and was up to the responsibility. With Jim Thome out, Pierzynski was written into the 4 slot and went 3 for 5 with a pair of runs scored.

Brian Bannister started this game for KC. He is the son of former White Sox pitcher Floyd Bannister, who happens to be the first baseball player who ever gave me his autograph. It was Labor Day weekend 1981, at the old Comiskey Park, when he was playing for the Seattle Mariners. I believe it was a Donruss card.

Game Scores- Sox- Vazquez 42, KC- Bannister 43

UP NEXT-
Weather permitting, the Sox hook up with the Detroit Tigers again after taking 2 of 3 from them at Comerica this weekend. I am hoping they get this game in tonight, because the Tigers are due to roll out the Chad Durbin again. Jon Danks faces him in a rematch of Friday's tilt, and if he doesn't pitch well enough to pick up the win against Chad Durbin, don't count me amongst those who will feel sorry for him.

AL CENTRAL ROUNDUP

(10-7) INDIANS 5, (11-9) TWINS 3
Fausto Carmona beats Johan Santana. What's next, a talking banana?

Game Scores- Indians-Carmona 59, Twins-Santana 55
Up Next- The Indians have rebounded nicely from that ugly sweep by the Yankees. They've won 4 of 5. They now come home for another short 2 game set, this time against the Rangers.

The Twins are headed in the opposite direction, having dropped 4 of 5 after sweeping the Mariners last week. They dropped 2 of 3 on the road against the Royals last weekend, and hope to get their horrible revenge in the next 2 days when KC comes to the Metrodome.

ANGELS 9, (11-9) TIGERS 8
The Tigers came back from a 7-0 deficit on the road to take an 8-7 lead in the ninth inning, only to have their gypsy curse of not having any pitchers who can field their position come back to cost them the game in the bottom half of the ninth. This time it was Todd "Johnnycakes" Jones making a costly error.

Game Scores- Tigers- Bonderman 33, Angels- Escobar 49

Game Score Corner
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We had a top 10 performance last night. Paul Maholm of the Pirates spun a complete game shutout of the Astros, good for a score of 84 and a spot on our top scorers list.

1. 94 Mark Buehrle SOX (v. Tex 4/18)

2. 89 Felix Hernandez SEA (at Bos 4/11)

3. 86 Felix Hernandez SEA (v. Oak 4/2)

3. 86 Cole Hamels PHI (at Cin 4/21)

5. 85 Kyle Lohse CIN (at Cubs 4/15)

6. 84 Paul Maholm PIT (v. Hou 4/24)

7. 82 Ben Sheets MIL (v. Lad 4/2)

8. 81 Johan Santana MIN (at SOX 4/8)

8. 81 Kip Wells STL (at Hou 4/8)

8. 81 James Shields TB (v. Cle 4/22)