146

Johnny Vander Meer can rest easy now. (Actually, he can rest in peace, since he's dead.) But his record of two consecutive no-hitters is safe from attack by Mark Buehrle, at least for the time being. Buehrle followed up his last outing No-No by giving up a hit in the second inning of last night's game. That ended his streak at 12 hitless innings, but Buehrle went on to earn his second win of the season, 7-4, over the KC Royals. Four Sox relievers contributed to the victory, with Andrew Sisco and Matt MacDougal earning holds against their former mates, Matt Thornton also notching a hold, and Bad Bobby Jenks racking up a save, his seventh in eight chances. Cap'n Crunch Paul Konerko homered twice, once off former Sox pitcher David Riske Business, and drove in five runs to break out of his slump.

The win reduced the Magic Number to 146 over the Indians. The Sox are in a virtual tie with the Tribe for third place in the Central Division, one-half game behind the Twins and Tigers. Not much separation there. Nor is there much in the American League as a whole. Only the Red Sox lead the Sox by more than a half-game, and their margin is only two games. Throw in the Orioles and A's and you've got seven teams within 2.5 games of each other.

The Yankees are not one of those teams, but they've got the most interesting storyline going. A-Rod hit two more home runs last night, giving him 14 on the season (the record Albert Pujols set for most homers ever in April) with a week to go. While he can't keep up this pace, he's got a good chance to reach the 500 mark in July. Update favorite Frank Thomas hit his 490th last night and seems certain to make it to 500 this season as well. Our own Jim Thome is currently at 477 and likely to join the 500 Club, as is Manny Ramirez, who's at 472. The Update predicts the Big Hurt will accomplish the feat in June, Thome in August, and Manny in September. Make your own fearless predictions for a chance to win fame and fortune. Well, at least fame. We'll publish the names of anyone who correctly predicts the months that the Fab Four will get it done. Go Update readers and Go Sox!