It was Kevin Youkilis’ first home game in Chicago and he did not disappoint. Youkilis launched a two-run bomb in his first at-bat and that started a Chicago White Sox slugfest against the Texas Rangers.
Youkilis would end up 3-6 with four RBIs. Adam Dunn followed Youkilis’ home run with one of his own, giving the All-Star 25 on the season. The powerful Sox offense got nine earned runs off Roy Oswalt before his departure in the fifth. Contributions were had all throughout the lineup. Alex Rios hit his 11th home run of the season and A.J. Pierzynski hit his 15th.
Youkilis being congratulated after his home run
A.J. had a stellar game, going 3-5 with three RBIs. While deserving of an All-Star slot, the outspoken catcher was not chosen for a spot on the team. He ranks among the best of all Major League catchers right now and he is on pace to break both his home run and RBI single season records.
Naturally, the powerful Sox offense was backed up by another quality start by Chris Sale. He only let up one earned run in 7.1 innings pitched, lowering his ERA to 2.19. Sale will be heading to the All-Star game next Tuesday and he will not pitch again until after the break so he has time to rest his arm. While the quality start was nice, the Sox offense once again stole the show.
The Sox bats have managed to score 51 runs in the last six games. The Youkilis acquisition makes the top half of the lineup very formidable. Leadoff man Alejandro De Aza is batting an impressive .295 and with Dunn and Konerko in the three and four spot, they are definitely making opposing pitchers work. It seems that things are really coming together for the White Sox who sit at 43-37 and must be feeling good after destroying the Rangers, who have consistently been one of baseball’s best teams.
Dylan Axelrod will take the mound tonight and there is no doubt he would love some offensive support like the kind Sale got last night. Whatever kind of bats show up, one thing is for certain: it is hard to lose a baseball game when you score 19 runs.
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