Chicago (12-4) at Kansas City (5-11)
Currently: - Game info: 8:10 pm EDT Fri Apr 22, 2005
- TV: WCIU, RTN
The AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox look for a season-high fifth straight victory when they open a three-game series against the slumping Kansas City Royals.
The White Sox are coming off consecutive two-game sweeps and have won six of their last seven games to match the franchise’s best start through 16 games— set in 1935.
Scott Podsednik, acquired from Milwaukee in the offseason, became the latest White Sox player to come up with a big hit, getting a go-ahead, two-run single in the seventh inning Thursday to lift Chicago past Detroit 4-3.
“Every game, somebody’s a hero,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. “We’re not the type of team that is going to lean on one guy, and if he doesn’t hit, we are done. Everybody is doing their job.
”(Podsednik) had a good at-bat. We struggle at times, but we get big hits.”
Joe Crede continued his torrid hitting, going 2-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to a career-best 12 games for the White Sox, who have won all six series and improved to 7-1 in one-run games this season.
“We’re going to go though a stretch where we hit a bump in the road and not do as well as we can,” said left-hander Mark Buehrle, who threw seven strong innings for the win Thursday. “That’s what is going to tell if we are a good team or a bad team.”
Chicago, 2-0 on an eight-game road trip, is 10-3 against division opponents this season. The White Sox have won six of the last eight meetings with the Royals.
Kansas City has lost eight of its last 10 games, including a 10-9 defeat in 10 innings to Minnesota on Thursday. The Twins’ Lew Ford hit a one-out single with the bases full to score the winning run.
“We’re putting ourselves in position to win ballgames,” catcher John Buck said, “and for one reason or another not getting the job done.”
Buck and Emil Brown each busted slumps by hitting home runs in the sixth on Thursday. Buck hit a leadoff homer for his first RBI in 20 games and went 4-for-5 to raise his batting average from .135 to .214. Brown ended an 0-for-21 slide with two hits, including a two-run shot.
Team Comparison
| Team | Record | Standings | Away/Home | Streak | L10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 99-63 | 1st Central | Away 52-29 | Won 5 | 8-2 |
| Kansas City | 56-106 | 5th Central | Home 34-47 | Lost 1 | 4-6 |
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