The Chicago White Sox did the improbable last year and rewarded the Windy City with their first World Series Championship since 1917 and shocked the hell out of the average baseball fan. In the off-season general manager went shopping for a hitter to improve on the designated hitter position that had underachieved in 2005.

When he was done fishing and reeled in his line, attached was one of the best power hitters in baseball named Jim Thome. Thome had an injury plagued season in 2005, but his numbers prior to that in Cleveland and most recently Philadelphia were outstanding.

With the Tigers the talk of the baseball world and the asinine behavior of manager Ozzie Guillen, the fantastic season that the White Sox are having is flying below the radar. The White Sox took three of four games from the Orioles to win their ninth consecutive series and now have won 16 of their last 20 games.

Thome hit two homers and matched his career high with six RBIs to lead the Chicago White Sox to an 11-8 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night. Thome hit a grand slam in the third inning and a two-run shot in the fifth and is tied with David Ortiz for the American League lead with 29 homers.

He now has 75 RBI's for the season and may have a shot at bettering his 47 homeruns and 131 RBI's from the 2003 season.

On the flip side of his success, is another disastrous outing by Oriole pitcher Russ Ortiz. Ortiz started for the second time for Baltimore since signing a contract on June 25 after being designated for assignment by Arizona on June 13 following 1 1/2 frustrating seasons.

After earning a four-year, $33 million free agent deal following a 21-7 season with Atlanta in 2003, Ortiz was 5-16 with a 7.00 ERA in 28 starts with Arizona.

The Diamondbacks cut Ortiz loose despite owing him almost $22 million. Ortiz was 0-5 in six starts this season.

Ortiz (0-1) allowed seven runs in five innings.

Bob Acton

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