White Sox win third straight series

The month of July was pretty horrible for the defending World Series champion Chicago White Sox. Last weekend things got a little better for the South Siders, as they won two of three on the road against the Baltimore Orioles. The Sox then flew to Kansas City, winning two of three there.

And following this afternoon's victory in Toronto (who made this geographically challenged schedule?)--the White Sox are assured of winning their third-straight series.

Today's win was very important for the Sox. Struggling starter Javier Vazquez of late has been struggling to make it past the sixth inning.

I was driving home this afternoon listening to the game, and in the fifth inning Vazquez gave up his first hit of the game, a home run to Blue Jays third baseman Troy Glaus. The next batter, Toronto first baseman Lyle Overbay hit a single.

Here we go again. Sox radio announcer Chris Singleton pretty much said the same thing.

Actually, no! Vazquez got out of the inning, and he survived that dreaded sixth inning, as well as the seventh and eighth. Those two fifth inning hits were the only ones Vazquez surrendered today, as the White Sox won 7-1. Vazquez struck out 13 Blue Jays.

But first place Detroit won as well, so the White Sox remain eight games behind the Tigers in the AL Central.

It's very important for the White Sox to win tomorrow's series finale in Toronto. Although the White Sox won most of their series last year--they had to have, as they had the American League's best record in 2005--they had a pattern last year of winning the first two games of a three game series, and then dropping the last one.

Those recent match-ups against Baltimore and Kansas City fit that pattern. The Sox won two of three in each series. Guess which games of the three the White Sox lost?

Last year the White Sox were in first place from opening day until the final regular season game, so no one was concerned about dropping all of those game threes. Now that they are forced to play catch up with the Tigers, and are battling the Yankees, Twins, and Red Sox for the AL wild card playoff spot, the White Sox need to sweep a lot of series if they're going to have earn the chance to defend their title in October.

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