Sox hot, hell cold

(June 19)

Short Take:  Royce Clayton?

One of the great things about baseball is the 162 games that make up the regular-season schedule.  In the space of all those games, chances are almost anything can happen once or twice.  There is plenty of time for weird unexpected stuff to happen.  For example, the Cubs might win 50 times.

So it was one of those games at Comiskey Park that the unlikeliest of heroes led the Sox to victory:  Royce Clayton.  The shortstop bust, getting regular playing time after losing his starter's role from poor play earlier this year, went 3 for 4 with four rbi's in the Sox win over Kansas City, 5-3.

Oh yes, and hell has frozen over.

James Baldwin started this game and again appeared less than completely in command.  He was touched for a lead-off dinger in the second inning to put the Sox behind 1-0.  With the goofy line up Jerry Manuel employed (Chris Singleton leading off and Aaron Rowand batting #2), the Sox didn't figure to score too many runs.  It might be a long night.

Not a chance--tonight was Royce's night!  While the top of the line up lived up to its expected anemic performance, Magglio Ordonez and Paul Konerko each reached base.  That set the table for our mighty #8 hitter, Rolls Royce.

Clayton fell behind 0-2 which has been the kiss of death all year for him.  This time he worked the count to 2-2, then drove one on a line into the leftfield seats.  Bedlam at Comiskey!

Baldwin couldn't make his unexpected luck hold up, giving up a two-run tater in the fourth inning allowing KC to tie it again at 3-3.  Back rolls, Royce!  In the bottom of the same inning, Carlos Lee and Konerko each got walks, setting the table for Royce's glorious two-out rbi double.  The Sox had the lead again for keeps.  Insanity at Comiskey!

Bob Howry and Keith Foulke pitched effectively one inning each to finish off the Sox win.  Meanwhile Royce figured in the final run of the game too, one of three Sox baserunners who forced in Carlos Lee when Josh Paul induced a bases loaded walk.  Royce can do it all!

So what caused this bizarre quirk of nature?  Could the arrival of catcher Mark Johnson from Charlotte, batting #9 behind Royce be providing him "protection" in the line up?  Sox Fan are willing to believe anything right now.

Three games beneath .500.