Sox Swagger: Win Streak Hits Three

The White Sox moved out of the A.L. Central basement last night with their second shutout in three games, a stretch in which they’ve outscored opponents 19-2.

The team hadn’t won three straight all year to this point, so this is a glimpse at what the team looks like when the starting pitching, bullpen, offense and defense is all clicking.

Edwin Jackson, Mark Buehrle and Gavin Floyd all turned in great performances to lead the White Sox, but the offense is finally getting it done, too.

The same day I pseudo-called for Gordon Beckham’s head, he responded by going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. He added a double and a two-run homer Monday night. You’re welcome.

Alex Rios was 4-for-4 and Brent Morel had three hits Saturday as the Sox pounded out 17 hits and blanked the Mariners 6-0 as Floyd improved to 4-2.

Paul Konerko had a vintage Paul Konerko “carrying the team on my back” 5-for-5 performance Sunday, all with an injured wrist. Clutch hits from Alex Rios, Alexei Ramirez and Adam Dunn gave the Sox a 5-2 overtime victory and their first series win since April 7-10. Yeah, almost an entire month.

The momentum carried over into Anaheim as Carlos Quentin knocked in five of the team’s eight runs and Jackson tossed seven brilliant inning.

Things aren’t perfect on the south side, but they’re looking a lot better than they were a week ago. John Danks looks for his first win of the 2011 season Tuesday night against the Halos, Joel Pineiro his counterpart. If the bats can keep producing runs the way they have recently, Danks may actually end up on the proper side of a decision this time around.

It would be nice to see Juan Pierre getting on base a little more…and actually steal some bases, but to see Quentin and Beckham have big performances of late is good enough for now.