109

Carlos Quentin doubled in the tieing and go-ahead runs in the seventh inning to lead the White Sox to a 6-5 win in the rubber game of the series against the Indians at Progressive Field. The victory was the 11th comeback win of the season, only the third time in 21 games that the Sox won when trailing after six innings (they're 21-1 when leading after six), and their 1000th all-time win over the Tribe (against 965 losses). Gavin Floyd was not his usual stingy self, but picked up the win with a little help from his bullpen friends Octavio Dotel, Scott Linebrink, and Bobby Jenks who collectively threw three more innings of scoreless relief. Jenks notched his 14th save, moving into third place among the all-time Sox save leaders. Besides Q, who also had a sac fly in the third, other batting stars included A.J. Pierzynski, who doubled in a run in the seventh, and Jermaine Dye, who slugged his ninth home run of the season, a solo shot, in the fourth.

Warning: The next paragraph is going to be an over-the-top paean to Carlos Quentin, so continue reading at your own risk, although it could help you the next time you draw the Q tile in Scrabble.

We have no Qualms in saying that the Quadrasyllabically-named Carlos Quentin is Quickly and not so Quietly having Quite a season. Not only can you Quote us on this, but we doubt anyone would Quibble or Quarrel with the Quality of our conclusion. Q has provided more than his Quota of big hits. In fact, he has left pitchers Quivering, Quavering, Quaking, and in a Quandary when they face him. It's almost as if he's on a Quest to Quell any doubts about his Qualifications to be considered the Quintessential offensive threat in the American League. Our only wish is that the Sox had a Quintet or at least a Quartet of Qs Queuing up behind him. Okay, we'll Quit with the Q words and let the Quantification of Q's rankings in the American League make the case for him. (Take notes there's going to be a Quiz):

• 1st in homers, 14
• 1st in OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage), .988
• 1st in extra-base hits, 23
• 1st in hit by pitch, 8
• 2nd in RBI, 47
• 2nd in slugging percentage, .587
• 3rd in total bases, 105
• 6th in on-base percentage, .402
• 6th in runs, 35
• 12th in batting average, .296

Today's win contracts the Magic Number to 109 over the second-place Twins (2.0 games back), who edged the Royals, 9-8, on the strength of a five-run ninth inning. The Sox head South to play the Rays -- you can call me Rays or you can call me Jays, but you doesn't have to call me Devil Rays -- in a four-game set in Tampa. We'd be ecstatic with a sweep, very happy to go 3-1, and considering the Rays have baseball's best record, only mildly disappointed with a split. Go Sox!