CHICAGO - Carl Crawford stole a team record-tying three bases Saturday, but he thought a fourth was stolen from him.
Crawford broke for second in the seventh inning when Neal Cotts' pitch bounded away from catcher Sandy Alomar. Crawford initially was given a stolen base, but upon further review the official scorer decided he advanced because of a wild pitch.
"Robbed," Crawford said. "I just want a stolen base when it's a stolen base. I don't want anything given to me, but if it's a stolen base then give it to me."
Crawford did plenty of good on his own, stealing second in the first and advancing to third when the throw bounced away, then stealing second and third in the fifth, matching the record he shares with, of all people, Brent Abernathy.
Crawford also extended his AL-leading total of stolen bases to 10 as he tries to defend the title he won last season with 55.
Crawford had been one of the Rays' few bright spots, making an outstanding catch Friday night (to go with others earlier in the week), maintaining a decent average (.274) and sparking the offense, reaching base five times in the first two games here.
"I just wanted to get more focused," Crawford said. "I had a disappointing game against Baltimore (on Thursday) and lost focus, and I've been trying to stay focused ever since then with what I want to do at the plate and when I get on base and all that stuff."
ADIOS SOSA: To make room for Doug Waechter, the Rays sent right-hander Jorge Sosa to Triple A, where he will start.
Manager Lou Piniella said he wants Sosa, who had a 7.27 ERA in seven relief appearances, to concentrate on two areas.
"One, he needs to learn to pitch inside to left-handed hitters, and two, to develop a split-finger pitch," Piniella said. "He's started both of those processes here, and he'll go down there and by starting he'll get a chance to really throw those pitches. For his development, it's the right thing to do.
Sosa wasn't happy about the demotion but will get the opportunity for more regular work.
"It's a little difficult because I didn't know if I was going to start or relieve," he said, with Eduardo Perez interpreting.
BIG FRANK: Catcher Brook Fordyce used to play for the White Sox and is friends with Frank Thomas, but that didn't make it any easier as he tried to calm the Sox slugger and keep him from going after Waechter after a sixth-inning plunking.
"He was obviously a little angry," Fordyce said. "I told him our thing is we're going to throw in. ... I told him, "We're not trying to hit you."'
Thomas' response?
Let's just say he didn't buy it.
PITCHING IN: Jeremi Gonzalez was supposed to be out of the rotation after three horrid starts left him with a 9.39 ERA, but he gets a second chance today.
If he struggles again, John Halama could take his place today and in his next turn in the rotation. Mark Hendrickson is likely to work out of the bullpen.
Gonzalez, though, said he expects things to be better: "I think the mechanical changes will help and I'll be able to concentrate on the mound."
FLAT-FOOTED: Catcher Toby Hall, who runs, well, like a catcher, made outs on the bases in each of the three previous games, and Piniella has been as surprised as anyone.
"I know I haven't had the steal sign on," he said.
MISCELLANY: Temperatures dropped into the 40s during the game. ... Jose Cruz got the day off after extending his hitless streak to 0-for-22. "I don't remember his last base hit," Piniella said. ... Rocco Baldelli had two hits for the second time in four games and stole his first base. ... After making two costly errors Friday, Julio Lugo redeemed himself by driving in two runs Saturday. ... The White Sox are hitless in their last 14 at-bats with runners in scoring position.
