47

Mark Buehrle hadn't won a game since his Perfecto, and Scott Linebrink kept it that way last night. Linebrink didn't save Buehrle's win; he stole it. Buehrle was the pitcher of record for the White Sox last night when Liner was pitching with a 7-4 lead in the eighth inning. He walked Mark Teahen and Mitch Maier and then gave up a first-pitch, three-run home run that evened the score at 7-7 and took away Buehrle's chance to end his drought.

In the bottom of the inning, Alex Rios walked (he also had two hits on the night), and Alexei Ramirez laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Rios to second. One out later, Scott Podsednik laced a 2-0 fastball into center field. Josh Anderson, who was playing very shallow, charged the ball, but bobbled it, allowing Rios (who's got some wheels) to slide in before the ball reached the plate. With the Sox ahead by a run, Bobby Jenks came in and pitched a perfect ninth to save the win for ... Linebrink.

I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again: The rule that allows a pitcher to blow a save and then win the game just doesn't seem fair. I know "there's no crying in baseball" (see A League of Their Own), but how about a little whining?

Give the Sox credit for coming back. Pods has delivered a pantload of clutch hits since he rejoined the team, but last night's was really an important one. Losing to the Royals after being up by three at this point in the season could have been devastating. Give credit also to Jayson Nix, who hit his 10th dinger last night. Nix has only 28 other hits, so over a quarter of his hits are four-baggers. A.J. Pierzynski also went yard, poking his 13th of the season. Jermaine Dye had two hits and two walks to add to the offensive totals.

The Magic Number now stands at 47, and the Sox are only 2.0 games behind the Tigers with the Royals and Orioles on tap for the rest of the homestand. Now is the time and the Cell is the place to make a move. Go Sox!