We were supposed to lose this game. I mean, James Shields versus Phil Humber? The Tampa ace against the guy with an ERA over 8.00 since throwing a perfect game?
But that's the thing about this White Sox team in 2012. They don't know they're supposed to lose.
I mean, when Hideki Matsui homered to give Tampa a 2-0 lead in only his second at bat of the season, I was prepared for more to follow. Only it didn't, instead the Sox chipped away with a run in the fifth and then did something really odd in the sixth.
The Sox scored 5 runs in the inning without ever hitting a single home run. No, it was just five consecutive base hits following a lead off walk to Adam Dunn and a Paul Konerko strikeout. Four of the five hits were singles with Alexei Ramirez the only hitter able to manage extra bases.
Even stranger, after giving up the home run to Matsui, Phil Humber just shut Tampa down. Seven innings, only 5 hits, 5 strikeouts, and most importantly for Phil, only 1 walk. Against a lineup stocked with lefties at that.
All of this going on while the Indians were getting beat up on by the Royals.
So now, here we sit, a few days before June. The Sox have won 11 of 12 games. They're six games over .500.
Oh, and they're in first place.
This summer may just end up being a lot more fun than any of us thought.
BOX SCORE
When do the playoff tickets go on sale?
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