157

The White Sox pulled off something yesterday they hadn't accomplished since last millennium. (The Update adheres to the view that the year 2000 was the final year of the millennium since there wasn't a year 0.) They took a series from the Athletics in Oakland. Finally getting production from the slumping Jermaine Dye (two hits, including a two-run homer to knot the game at 3-3) and Paul Konerko (two hits, including a two-run double), and from Juan "I've Put My Legal Troubles Behind Me" Uribe (two hits and one RBI) and Darin Erstad (sac fly), the Sox came from behind to beat the A's 6-3. Mark Buehrle showed no lingering effects from having taken a liner to the forearm in his last start, settling down nicely after giving up three runs in the first inning to shut down Oakland in the next six stanzas. David Aardsma and Bobby Jenks got the win and the save, respectively, for each pitching one inning of scoreless, hitless relief.

Despite the win, the Sox remain in fourth place in the A.L. Central, but only a game back of the first place Tigers and Twins. The Magic Number is 157 over the Cleveland/Milwaukee Indians, who have only two losses and are a half-game out of first -- one of those early season quirks of the standings. And speaking of the Indians, that's whom the Sox are scheduled to play next, for a three-game series due to start Friday. The weather-obsessed Update notes, however, that the forecast for Cleveland calls for rain/snow showers on Friday and Sunday. Temperatures will reach a high of 44 and low of 33 on Friday; 37 and 34 on Saturday (the nice day); and 38 and 35 on Sunday. Miller Park in Milwaukee anyone? The Brewers are in St. Louis, so it's available. Go Sox! But where?