The White Sox and Cincinnati met as first-place teams Monday night at Cinergy Field, the first time that has happened since the 1919 World Series.
This time, however, the fix wasn’t in.
The Sox knocked off the Reds 4-3 behind another strong outing by James Baldwin, who improved to 9-1.
For the first time since April 30, the Sox are 10 games better than .500, tying their high-water mark. Baldwin said the fact everyone is playing for each other has paid huge dividends.
“No one is big here, ego-wise,” Baldwin said. “It’s good to see Frank Thomas smiling again.”
Baldwin allowed two runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings, with both runs coming after he was removed. Baldwin, 7-0 on the road with a 1.73 earned-run average, didn’t have his snapping curve, relying on his changeup and sinker to keep hitters out of sync.
“I’ve never felt anyone was automatic,” manager Jerry Manuel said. “But one thing about `J.B.’–he keeps you in the game.”
Keith Foulke pitched the last two innings, giving up a homer to Sean Casey in the ninth before notching his 12th straight save.
The Sox had only seven hits, but made them all count. Jose Valentin homered and drove in a pair of runs, Greg Norton added a homer and Paul Konerko delivered a pinch-RBI single in the ninth.
The Reds didn’t threaten Baldwin until the sixth, when Ken Griffey Jr.’s single put two on with two outs. But Baldwin struck out Dante Bichette on three pitches.
Baldwin’s confidence has been contagious. The Sox believe they’ll win every time he takes the mound.
