65

So it turns out that all Mark Buehrle needed was Sandy Alomar. Buehrle, who has been shelled in his last few appearances, has a 36-22 record with Alomar behind the plate, with the latest quality start coming last night. While Buehrle didn't get the win in a 7-5 White Sox victory over the Royals, he did pitch six innings of two-run, four-hit baseball. Ozzie probably isn't ready to anoint Alomar as Buehrle's personal catcher as Tim McCarver was for Steve Carlton (McCarver quipped that when they died, he and Carlton would be buried 60'6'' apart), but at least for one night, the combo delivered. Matt Thornton almost blew it for Buehrle -- actually he "earned" a blown save. David Riske came in just in time to be the beneficiary of Joe Crede's fourth hit of the night, an RBI single in the 10th inning (Crede also posted his 23rd homer of the year). Bobby Jenks got back on his horse in his first appearance after his blown save against the O's to post his 29th save.

Oz gave four subs a spot in the starting lineup, perhaps figuring if you can't do it against KC, you just can't do it against anyone. Besides Alomar at catcher, Pablo Ozuna started in left, Alex Cintron replaced the recently error-prone Juan Uribe at short, and Ross Gload filled in for Paulie at first while Konerko took over as DH. Paulie wound up getting plunked in the elbow with a pitch and was sent for x-rays. Meanwhile, Jim Thome has recovered, courtesy of a cortisone shot, from the tendonitis in his wrist, but was experiencing back spasms. Thome says that it's unrelated to the lower back problems that put him on the DL last year. Let's hope that Dr. Thome knows what he's talking about.

The win dropped the Magic Number to 65 and kept the Sox 7.5 games behind Detroit. The Good Guys are tied for the Wild Card lead with Boston (who is in a virtual tie for the Eastern Division lead with New York). But things are looking up. After experiencing a mid-season slump the Sox have won four of their last five games, are back to playing .600 ball on the year, and trail only the Tigers for most wins in baseball. We've guaranteed at least a Meat Loaf against the Royals and are in position to sweep. Go Sox!