Crede's grand slam lifts White Sox to win over Minnesota
By Mark Gonzales | Tribune staff reporter
10:48 PM CDT, April 7, 2008
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The original script for the middle of the White Sox's batting order wasn't designed for Jim Thome to draw a walk and Paul Konerko and Jermaine Dye to settle for singles.
But that was a perfect stage-setter Monday, as Joe Crede supplied the heroics with a broken-bat grand slam in the seventh inning that gave the Sox an extra twinkle as they extended their winning streak to five games in a 7-4 come-from-behind win over American League Central rival Minnesota.
"I don't think we're too high, but after last year, there's no doubt you want to see some good things early because last year was a debacle," Konerko said after the Sox entertained a home opener sellout crowd of 38,082.
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This was the Sox's third comeback victory, and their confidence swelled during a rally against relievers Matt Guerrier and sidearm specialist Pat Neshek, who limited right-handed hitters to a .185 batting average last season.
"Textbook," hitting coach Greg Walker said of the Sox's winning script during a five-run seventh. "That's how you draw it up.
"I don't know if I've ever seen a team fighting this hard every at-bat. They're getting after it.
"I know we'll hit some speed bumps, but I don't even know if we fought this hard in 2005," Walker said. "I'm not comparing the two teams. We knew coming in we would have to do that, and you couldn't ask for anything more than the effort they're giving."
The winning rally started when Thome drew a walk and moved to third on Konerko's opposite-field single to right. Dye greeted Neshek with an RBI single up the middle.
With one out, Carlos Quentin loaded the bases with a single to set the stage for Crede's game-winning slam.
"When you hit in the clutch, you're not going to panic," said manager Ozzie Guillen, who was ejected in the third inning by home plate umpire Phil Cuzzi for arguing balls and strikes.
Crede is 6-for-9 with seven RBIs in his last two games.
"As many games as you play in your career and you go through these situations over and over, your focus is that much greater than it seems earlier in the game, especially for me," Crede said. "Late in the game your focus is up and you're really bearing down out there, just trying to hit something hard, as was I in that situation."
From Nick Swisher's leadoff double that set up the first run in the first inning to Crede's slam, the Sox's lineup served its purpose.
"We got nine guys playing every day, and guys sitting on the bench capable of getting a hit," Walker said. "So just trust the guy behind you. Take your walks and don't try to do too much, and trust the guy behind you.
"And so far, up and down we've got good at-bats and everyone in the lineup has gotten a big hit to win a game. And that's the ideal situation."
mgonzales@tribune.com
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