Ozzie Guillen certainly got his message across.
One week after Chicago’s outspoken manager lashed out at his slumping hitters, the White Sox routed the visiting Minnesota Twins 12-2 on Sunday for their sixth consecutive victory. Nick Swisher and Alexei Ramirez homered, and Joe Crede had another big day at the plate.
Last Sunday, Guillen went on a tirade after his offense struggled during a frustrating series at Tampa Bay. Since then, the White Sox have scored 54 runs in six games.
“I don’t know how far we’re going to get, but this team has a chance to be special,” Guillen said.
Chicago has put up 10 or more runs in three consecutive games for the first time since July 15-17, 2000, against St. Louis and Milwaukee. The 15 hits Sunday gave the White Sox at least 15 in three straight games for the first time since July 23-24, 1932, against Cleveland.
The most important number, though, is this: zero. That’s how many losses the White Sox have since Guillen’s outburst, and their lead over second-place Minnesota in the AL Central is 5 1/2 games – the biggest cushion for any division leader in the majors.
“Good pitches, bad pitches, they seemed to be hitting just about everything we threw up there,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.
In other AL games, it was: Boston 2, Seattle 1; New York 6, Kansas City 3; Oakland 7, Los Angeles 3 in 12 innings; Toronto 5, Baltimore 4; Texas 6, Tampa Bay 3; and Detroit 5, Cleveland 2.
Swisher’s three-run homer off Kevin Slowey (2-6) in the second made it 3-1, and Chicago broke it open with five more in the third. Gavin Floyd (7-3) struck out a career-high nine and walked one while allowing two runs in seven innings.
Crede is 10-for-15 with 12 RBIs in his last four games after going 2-for-4 and driving in two runs on Sunday. After hitting homers in three straight games for the first time in his career, including two each on Friday and Saturday, Crede doubled and singled and scored twice.
One week earlier, Guillen unleashed a rant that seemed to be aimed at general manager Kenny Williams and hitting coach Greg Walker after watching his team go 5-for-39 with runners in scoring position while dropping three of four to the Rays. Guillen called for roster changes while saying his job and Walker’s could be in jeopardy.
There were no major roster moves, but there is one noticeable difference. The offense is producing.
That it’s doing so on the heels of Guillen’s outburst is probably a coincidence, but the change in demeanor over the past week is noticeable.
“You want to pull your own weight, individually or as a unit,” Chicago’s Paul Konerko said. “You don’t have to score 10 runs every game. We should be able to score four to six runs a night on average to give these guys a chance to win. … We’ve got to have some easy games, and the offense has to pull their weight on that.”
Red Sox 2, Mariners 1
At Boston, Justin Masterson (3-0) pitched six strong innings and J.D. Drew hit a go-ahead homer. The Red Sox have won 15 of 16 at home and eight of 10 overall. Jonathan Papelbon worked a perfect ninth for his 18th save.
Yankees 6, Royals 3
At New York, Joba Chamberlain bounced back from a disappointing first start with the Yankees, allowing three runs – two earned – in 4 1-3 innings. He was limited to 78 pitches as he transitions from the bullpen to the rotation.
Jason Giambi hit a tiebreaking homer in the sixth and Bobby Abreu finished with an upper-deck home run and three RBIs for New York, which has won four of five.
Jose Guillen hit a two-run homer and Joey Gathright made three outstanding plays in center field for Kansas City, which has lost 17 of 20.
Dan Giese (1-1) pitched 2 2-3 hitless innings for his first major league win. Mariano Rivera tossed a perfect ninth for his 16th save in 16 chances.
Rangers 6, Rays 3
At Arlington, Texas, David Murphy hit one of Texas’ three homers and the Rangers beat bickering Tampa Bay despite playing without ailing stars Josh Hamilton and Michael Young.
German Duran and Ramon Vazquez also homered for the Rangers. The Rays missed out on their first road sweep this season with a loss that included a scuffle between pitcher Matt Garza and catcher Dioner Navarro.
In the fourth inning, after No. 9 hitter Duran hit a two-run homer for a 3-0 lead, Garza (4-3) and Navarro had a heated exchange on the mound.
When the inning ended, Garza approached Navarro in the dugout. Television cameras caught them face-to-face in a tussle that spilled into the tunnel leading to the clubhouse. Teammates rushed to break up the fracas.
“It was shoving, that was it. It’s been taken care of,” manager Joe Maddon insisted.
Athletics 7, Angels 3, 12 innings
At Oakland, Calif., Mark Ellis hit a grand slam with two outs in the 12th off Chris Bootcheck (0-1), ending Los Angeles’ season-best seven-game winning streak.
It was the fifth game-ending grand slam by the Athletics and first since Mark McGwire did it on June 30, 1995, also against the Angels. Brad Ziegler (1-0) got his first major league win. Vladimir Guerrero hit a two-run homer for the Angels.
Blue Jays 5, Orioles 4
At Toronto, Roy Halladay (8-5) won his fourth straight start, Vernon Wells homered and the Blue Jays snapped a four-game skid. B.J. Ryan got his 13th save. Luke Scott homered twice for Baltimore.
Tigers 5, Indians 2
At Detroit, Curtis Granderson homered and Placido Polanco hit a key two-run single to back Armando Galarraga (5-2). Todd Jones earned his 10th save.
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