SCOUTING REPORT: It took a while, but the White Sox finally are making the run expected of them. They went into Thursday night's game having won a season-high six straight and eight of 10 and moved within five games of first-place Kansas City.
They are doing it with plenty of offense, averaging nearly 5.5 runs in July thanks to contributions from throughout a deep lineup that includes Roberto Alomar, Carlos Lee, Frank Thomas, Magglio Ordonez and Carl Everett.
Ordonez has been sizzling, hitting .443 with five home runs and 14 RBIs over his past 16 games. Paul Konerko, who struggled much of the first three months, is hitting .333 in July. Thomas went into play Thursday one homer shy of becoming the 38th major-leaguer to hit 400.
The Sox also have been getting strong pitching, leading the AL with 61 quality starts. The Rays will see two of their best, All-Star starter Esteban Loaiza tonight and Bartolo Colon on Sunday.
The Sox have been playing very well at home, winning their past five and 10 of 12, and have the third-best home winning percentage in the league behind Boston and Oakland.
DISABLED LIST: LHP Kelly Wunsch.
CONNECTIONS: Rays reliever Al Levine broke in with the Sox in 1996. ... Catcher Javier Valentin is the younger brother of White Sox shortstop Jose Valentin. ... Hitting coach Lee Elia made his big-league debut with Sox in 1966 as a shortstop. ... Chicago reliever Rick White and infielder Tony Graffanino are former Rays. ... Everett is a Tampa product.
OVERALL SERIES: The Rays took two of three from the Sox during the July 4 weekend. The Sox lead the overall series 27-21, including 13-9 at U.S. Cellular Field, which used to be Comiskey Park.
[Last modified July 25, 2003, 01:33:11]
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