Sox get some sweep vs. Tigers: Cut Detroit's lead to 5oe, but Ozzie preaches moderation; White Sox 7, Tigers 3

It seemed like old times at U.S. Cellular Field, where brooms cameout Sunday after a weekend sweep of the American League Central-leading Detroit Tigers revived White Sox fans' visions of a repeat.

But while 38,931 fans were celebrating the 7-3 victory as if itwas a playoff game, the Sox and manager Ozzie Guillen continue topreach moderation.

"This is a long season," Guillen said. "No matter how good youare, you're always going to have some bad times. Even good teams lose50 games. I don't expect [the Tigers] to fail, but there are somebumps in the road."

The Sox have had theirs in a bad July. But winning 11 of theirlast 16 games, and five of their last six, has helped the defendingchamps trim a Tigers lead that was as big as 10 games only a week agoto 5oe.

"It's a great feeling," Guillen said. "This could have been ugly,them coming to town. It could have turned out a different way. Iwon't say we're back, but we're closer. We did what we were supposedto do."

For Tigers manager Jim Leyland, whose team still owns baseball'sbest record at 76-41, the weekend outcomes were easy to explain.

"I'll keep it real simple for you," he said. "They played good. Wedidn't. It's that simple."

The Sox have played well against the Tigers all year, improvingtheir season mark to 9-3 as they sent the Tigers to their first five-game losing streak.

"We're still in first place," Tigers outfielder and Chicago-areanative Curtis Granderson said. "There's no panic."

The Sox say the same thing, in words that seem more than justpolitically correct.

"I don't think either clubhouse is feeling pressure," said Soxright fielder Jermaine Dye, whose 31st homer was one of two eighth-inning insurance runs for winning pitcher Freddy Garcia (11-7) andcloser Bobby Jenks (33rd save). "If we take care of what we have to,we'll put ourselves in position, but there are still a lot of gamesleft.

"We'll take it [the sweep]. There's still a long way to go, but to[sweep] that club -- our bullpen stopped them the whole series, andFreddy did what he does in big games."

Garcia gave up a first-inning run, but the Sox got it backimmediately against rookie Zach Miner (7-3). And after Alex Cintrongave Garcia a big boost with a bases-loaded double in the second,Garcia seemed to get stronger.

"I had good stuff and kept fighting," said Garcia, who workedseven innings, held the Tigers to three runs and eight hits andstruck out six.

"A lot of people counted us out last week, but there are a lot ofgames to play. We have to keep playing the way we've been."

Pitching has been the biggest difference in the Sox' play of late,Guillen said.

"I like the way our starting rotation is throwing now," he said."They're giving us innings and keeping us in games."

The Sox' bench also has delivered, with Cintron taking centerstage.

"He's done a tremendous job for us," Guillen said of Cintron, whohad started in place of ailing shortstop Juan Uribe and stepped in atsecond on Sunday when Tadahito Iguchi was given a day off.

Cintron has been especially deadly against the Tigers, hitting.419 (13-for-31) this season with two doubles, three triples, a homerun and nine RBI.

"I wanted to put the ball in play," he said of his bases-clearingdouble. "With two outs especially, I didn't know what he would throwme in that situation. You just have to react. It was big for me andthe ballclub."

Pablo Ozuna, only 2-for-32 in his last 15 games, also contributeda pinch-hit RBI single in the seventh inning.

"We need everyone to contribute, and today was an example,"catcher A.J. Pierzynski said.

"Hopefully, we're getting on the right track, but it's only oneweek. We're still five games behind. We have to find a way to keepwinning and see what happens. If we win as many games as we can, therest will take care of itself.

"Baseball is up and down. That's why everyone loves this game. Thekey is to get to the playoffs."

tginnetti@suntimes.com

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AL WILD-CARD WATCH

Team W L Pct. GB

White Sox 70 46 .603 --

Red Sox 68 48 .586 2

Twins 68 49 .581 2oe

RESULTS, NEXT GAME

White Sox 7, Tigers 3

Today: vs. Royals,

7:05 p.m.

Red Sox 11, Orioles 9

Today: vs. Tigers,

6:05 p.m.

Twins 5, Blue Jays 0

Tuesday: vs. Indians,

7:10 p.m.