Pitching has paced the White Sox in their current streaks of six victories in a row and nine wins in their last 10.
Sox starters have won their last seven decisions and lead the American League with a 3.95 earned-run average. The bullpen has not allowed a run it its last 11 innings and has an ERA of 2.74.
And the answer is . . . Apparently, no question is too tough or trivial for the White Sox statistics crew.
More Top Picks Best Soundbars With Subwoofers For Movies
When Chris Snopek started at shortstop Sunday and batted fourth, somebody asked, “When was the last time a White Sox shortstop hit cleanup?”
The stats crew, aided by computers and record books, came up with this answer: Ron Hansen against the Angels on July 19, 1967. That was three years before Snopek was born.
Snopek did OK as a cleanup man. He walked, scored a run and singled in four official at-bats.
Trouble with lefties: Robin Ventura batted in the No. 2 spot in the order for the fourth time this season, all against left-handed pitchers. He was the only left-handed batter who started against lefty Chuck Finley. Ventura went 0 for 5, making him 3 for 20 in his four games as No. 2 hitter.
Robbery: Left-fielder Tony Phillips made the defensive play of the day, a diving grab that robbed Jim Edmonds of a hit in the fifth inning.
Welcome home (run): Frank Thomas’ three-run eighth-inning home run was his eighth of the season but only his first at Comiskey Park. Thomas has hit safely in 21 of 23 games and has reached base 51 times.