42 (28*)

"You can put it on the board ... Yes!!" In the sixth inning of yesterday's game, Hawk wore out his trademark home-run call as the White Sox tied a major league record by clubbing back to back to back to back -- that's four in a row in case you've lost count -- roundtrippers. Jim Thome started it off with a three run shot, followed by Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramirez, and Juan Uribe each hitting solo pokes. The homers were part of an offense that produced nine runs on thirteen hits -- every starter had at least one; Uribe and Jermaine Dye had two each; and Paulie collected three. (Speaking of hits, Carlos Quentin was hit by a pitch again, making six consecutive games he's been plunked.) Even with all the long balls the Sox managed to leave 10 men on base as a team (22 if you add up the individual totals since the same man can be left on base by more than one batter). Fortunately, the nine runs were more than enough to beat Kansas City, complete the sweep of the series, and finish the 10-game homestand with seven wins.

Lance Broadway, who had just been called up from Charlotte earlier in the week, made the start and got the win. Broadway lasted 5.1 innings, allowing only two runs on five hits and two walks. He was pretty accurate, throwing 62 of his 100 pitches for strikes (our crack statistician tells us that works out to 62%) and inducing 10 ground outs and only four fly outs. Newcomer Horacio Ramirez, D.J. Carrasco, and Adam Russell combined to pitch 3.2 innings of scoreless relief. The Big Three in the bullpen, Bobby Jenks, Octavio Dotel, and Matt Thornton, got some additional rest. So this just-what-the-Sox-needed performance sewed up a spot in the rotation for Broadway, right? No chance, Lance. Kenny Williams optioned him back to the minors just hours after the game. The explanation that we read is that Ozzie wants another reliever for the road trip to Oakland. Broadway wouldn't be due to pitch again until Tuesday, so maybe the Sox will bring him back in time to face Seattle on August 19.

The Twins were idle, meaning the Sox picked up a half game on them (the lead is now a full game) and chopped one more off the Magic Number (it's 42). While a three-game jaunt to the West Coast before returning for another homestand seems a bit odd, this is as good a time as any to play the A's. They've lost two in a row and eight of their last ten. Go Sox!

* 28 days until our future grandson's due date