Jermaine Dye is making up for lost time.
The White Sox right fielder has regained the power stroke that deserted him, especially after suffering a left groin strain that caused him to miss four games in late April.
After an 0-for-14 slump in which Dye felt rusty, he has rebounded with four home runs in his last seven games, including one in each of the last three.
“I just lost my timing,” Dye said. “With the team struggling, you know you were swinging well, but you then try to not take what the pitchers are giving you. You start swinging at bad pitching and start to feel for it instead of letting it happen.
“I feel good now. I’m starting to get back in the swing of things. Couple of hits here and there, couple of homers. I’m getting that mind-set back of feeling dangerous again.”
Lineup update
Orlando Cabrera didn’t start at shortstop for the first time this season.
But when Cabrera returns Friday night, he’s expected to return to the leadoff spot for an extended period.
Manager Ozzie Guillen realizes Cabrera is better suited for the second spot because of the way he handles the bat but says Cabrera is a better option at the leadoff spot than Carlos Quentin, who leads the Sox in home runs and on-base percentage.
“I have to make adjustments to the players I have,” said Guillen, adding he has no problems with the personnel that general manager Ken Williams has provided. “One thing about this ballclub, it doesn’t have the most speed, but they run the bases well.”
Extra innings
Jim Thome’s stolen base on a double steal was his first since Sept. 25, 2002, against Minnesota while playing for Cleveland. The last season in which he had more than one steal was in 1996 (two) and he had his career high (four) in 1995. … Reliever Octavio Dotel has struck out at least one batter in 11 consecutive appearances. …
Catcher Toby Hall nailed Minnesota’s Carlos Gomez on a steal attempt in the third inning, marking the first time in five attempts he has thrown out a runner this season. Opponents are 12-for-14 on steal attempts when starting catcher A.J. Pierzynski has attempted a throw.
