156

With a 7-4 win over the Twins yesterday before a sellout crowd on hand for the home opener, the White Sox exorcised two more demons from last year's nightmare season. The Sox won their fifth game in a row and secured first place alone atop the A.L. Central -- two feats they failed to accomplish anytime in 2007. Joe Crede's grand salami plated Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye, and Carlos Quentin, each of whom had singled, to grab the lead from Minnesota. The comeback marked the third time already this season that the Sox have won after trailing.

Javier Vazquez was the beneficiary of Crede's blast, allowing Javy to even his record at 1-1. Vazquez earned the win with a quality start -- three runs on seven hits, eight strikeouts, and a walk in seven innings pitched. Scott Linebrink ended the bullpen's scoreless innings streak at 11.1 when he gave up a run, but Bobby Jenks picked up his fourth save in four chances.

Too bad Ozzie wasn't around to see it close up. He got tossed early for arguing balls and strikes and is preparing to make another charitable contribution to Major League Baseball from the $100,000 fund he claims to have set aside for that purpose.

The win chops the Sox's Magic Number to 156 over the Royals and establishes a half game lead over KC. Don't look now, but the Sox have a two game lead over Cleveland and are 4.5 up on Detroit. It's still early, but this is how good seasons start -- hot out of the box. Go Sox!