58

Before yesterday's game, Scott Podsednik told MLB.com: "On any given day, you can pick up the USA Today and look at what the one and two hitters do on any ballclub and kind of predict what their team did on that particular night." Well, leadoff man Pods proved prophetic, as he and No. 2 batter Gordon Beckham led the White Sox to a 5-4 come-from-behind win over the A.L.-best Angels last night.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Pods drove in the winning run by lining a hanging slider to right-center that scored Jayson Nix, who was on second with a double. It was Scottie's third walk-off hit of the season. Earlier, Pods, who had doubled himself, scored when Gordon Beckham singled him home. Becks also ripped his sixth homer (and first at the Cell) in the first inning. Combined, the first two men in the order were 4 for 9, had two extra-base hits, scored two runs, and drove in three. Only five Sox got hits -- Nix, Jermaine Dye, and Carlos Quentin, who homered, were the others -- and each of them scored a run.

Podsednik, who says he wants to re-sign with the Sox beyond this season, is making a strong case for A.L. Comeback Player of the Year, after starting the year out of the Majors. Beckham is doing likewise for A.L. Rookie of the Year, after starting the season in an 0 for 13, 2 for 28 slump. In 27 games in July, Becks hit .330 with three homers, 10 doubles, 18 RBI, and a .526 slugging percentage, which earned him Rookie of the Month honors. He's also had multiple hits seven times in his last eight games.

The timely hitting and some good relief pitching bailed out starter Jose Contreras, who just didn't have it last night. Contreras couldn't even finish three innings, giving up three runs on five walks and a hit in 2.2 IP. D.J. Carrasco, who had been mentioned as a possible fifth starter, threw 4. 0 innings of one-run, two-hit out of the bullpen. Randy Williams (0.2 IP), Tony Pena (0.1 IP), and Matt Thornton (1.1 IP) followed and didn't allow a run. Closer Bobby Jenks had to leave before the game because of a second kidney stone.

The Sox gained a game on the Tigers, who lost to the Orioles. That leaves them 1.0 games behind Detroit (and 1.5 ahead of Minnesota) in the A.L. Central race. The Magic Number is at 58. And Mark Buehrle Appreciation Series continues against the Angels. Go Sox!