28 (Tigers); 25 (Twins)

Now that's more like it. Jose Contreras gave the ChiSox a third well-pitched game in a row, scattering four hits and allowing just one run in eight innings, but this time the Good Guys actually scored enough runs to win -- 8-1. Dustin Hermanson, the Hermanator (as the Update called him last year), took over in the ninth, making the most of his first appearance of the year by retiring Boston 1-2-3. The offense got off to a good start, scoring -- much like a Chicago election -- early and often. Jim Thome began the scoring barrage with his 39th home run and Jermaine "MVP" Dye regained the team lead by banging his 40th a little while later. Every starter, other than just-called-up leadoff man Ryan Sweeney (0 for 6) recorded a hit, with Thome again leading the way at 4 for 4 (sounds like the old Moses Malone prediction about the NBA playoffs -- Fo', Fo', Fo'). Speaking of Thome, the Update figures that the Red Sox manager gets his defensive strategy for the Thome shift from the Beatles, as in "Get back, Loretta!" (Mark Loretta, Boston second basemen plays as deep in right field as Manny Ramirez ordinarily plays in left. Okay, that was a lot of work for not much humor, but on days we win, the Update has to at least try.)

Since Tampa Bay beat the Twins for the first time in forever and the Tigers lost again (only nine wins in their last 28 games), the Sox gained ground in the standings and Magic Numbers on both rivals. They trail Detroit by 4.5 games, with a Magic Number of 28 for the Central Division crown. They're back within a half game of Minnesota, with a Magic Number of 25 for the Wild Card. Best news is that the Tigers and Twins play each other starting tonight, so the Sox have a great opportunity to tighten things up even more by beating Cleveland. Since it worked yesterday, the Update is sticking with the alternative closing: Just win, baby!