129

Jon Garland pitched the White Sox to a win in the rubber match of their three-game series with the Yankees. Garland gave up only six hits and one run in seven innings. Bobby Jenks garnered his 13th save in 14 chances and is on pace to save a phenomenal 57 games this season. Jermaine Dye provided all the runs on a homer, double, and sacrifice fly. For you Ozzieball fans, the sac fly had to have been the favorite, as it came after Pablo Ozuna sacrificed the runner to third. The Update still thinks it's a bad percentage move -- and has the statistics to support its view -- but is of course happy when it actually yields a run.

The win chops the Magic Number to 129 over the Indians, who have taken over first place. The Sox trail Cleveland by 3.5 games, and are only 2.5 games behind Detroit, which currently holds down the Wild Card berth. The amazing thing about the Sox and their 20-17 record is how they managed to do it while hitting so poorly. And we're talking epically poor.

The Sox are the only team in the American League to have a winning record while scoring fewer runs (141) than they allow (154). They are last in the major leagues in batting average (.222), at bats (2214), hits (270), doubles (47), and triples (2), and are 27th out of 30 in OPS (.666). Their opponents are not only outscoring them, but are outhitting them too (.234 BA and 290 hits). We all believe that the hitting woes can't continue, so there's reason to be optimistic. If the 20-17 Sox can play at an 88 win pace with these stats, just think of what they can do once the bats start coming around.

This weekend would be a good time to start, as the Good Guys invade Wrigley to take on the Cubs. Ozzie is taking the Crosstown Series seriously enough that he's going to start Jose Contreras on Sunday on three rather than four days rest. Don't tell me it's just another series and that all 162 games count the same. Go Sox!