In what most would consider a mercy killing, the White Sox were awarded an 11-4 victory over Cleveland last night in a rain shortened game.

The Sox scored three runs in the bottom of the first and never looked back, giving Clayton Richard enough of a cushion to just worry about throwing strikes and not having to worry about the results.  Richard responded and the Sox won going away.

Move along, move along, nothing to see here.

The big takeaway from this one was that the Sox beat up on last year's Cy Young winner, chasing him after four innings and snapping his streak of 47 consecutive starts of five innings or more.  The other takeaway is that this is the third straight game where the Sox have scored at least six runs and fifth in the last sixth where they have accomplished that feat.  Combine the stellar starting pitching with a finally clicking offense and a baffling bullpen and you have a team that is back in the race.

Let's see how they respond tonight. Long time White Sox punching bag Jeremy Sowers throws for Cleveland while the equally hittable Jose Contreras labors for the Sox.  This game may not get called for rain, but for curfew because it may take forever.

Lightning Round

• The Savior is hitting the Indians like Victor Martinez (or, back in the day, Buzz Lightyear) hits the White Sox.  For those of you playing along at home, The Savior has his average up to .267.  I hate to admit it, but maybe the Sox knew the kid could handle the bigs. In any case, I'm starting to become a fan.
• The big news of the day of course, was Ozzie Guillen's continuing verbal assault on Wrigley Field.  I agree with him when he says "Why can't I hate Wrigley Field?"  Why can't he?  I'm sure Cub fans hate U.S. Commiskey Park.  Heck, I even hate it.
• The other Ozzie news revolves around the fact he finished second in a poll of managers that players would not want to play for. No truth to the rumor Nick Swisher and Orlando Cabrera votes multiple times.  You know, outside of 2007, all Ozzie does is win.  Here's a guy whose team painted itself into a corner early on, yet he doesn't panic, he plays with the cards that he was dealt by Kenny Williams and gets his team back over .500 before July 4th.  Players may not want to play for him, but obviously something he does works.
• Lost in all the Ozzie news was a comment by another outspoken Venezuelan, Carlos Zambrano who, when informed of a Tribune fan poll that indicated fans would support him being moved responded "Fine, trade me to Boston." The boy is a drama queen, isn't he? 
• The Chairman, who has rode roughshod over the baseball commissioner for 15 years, now turns his attention to beating up David Stern's little buddy.