Chicago Sweeps Pittsburgh

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After dropping their home opener, the Chicago Whites Sox rebounded to win eight straight games of a nine game home stand, thanks to some timely hitting, good defense, and the best pitching staff statistically in both leagues at this time.

Chicago had 33 hits in the series in 97 at bats for a .324 team batting average, while the pitching staff limited Pittsburgh to 17 hits in 97 at bats, a .175 team batting average, and allowing a total of five runs over the three games for a 1.61 ERA. The four Chicago pitchers used in the series recorded 29 strikeouts and issued just 2 walks.

Bill Rohden (2-0 1.62 ERA) authored the first of three starting gems for Chicago. Rohden went nine innings allowed two runs on seven hits did not walk a batter and struck out eight.

The White Sox scored eight runs on eleven hits in this game.

A two run single by Lou Borland in the 3rd inning, and a three run homerun by Duane Lansing in the fourth, Lansing's 3rd of the season, put Chicago in charge by a 5-0 score.

Chicago continued to pour it on.

Aaron Pearson doubled in a run in the 5th inning and the Sox added two more in the 7th on a RBI ground out by Vargus and a run scoring single by cather Rob Marinciak.

Final 8-2 Chicago.

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Lute Hisner went eight innings allowed six hits and two runs while walking one and striking out nine foir his second straight win of the season. Amos Otten pitched the ninth inning of this game for his sixth save.

Chicago overcame an early 2-0 Pittsburgh lead, the only lead Pittsburgh had in the series, witthree runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Pete Vargus, only 2 for 14 in the series, but with three key runs batted in, put Chicago on the scoreboards with a run scoring single off Heinie Calvo (LP 0-1 7IP 7H 3R/3ER 1BB/6SO).

Vargus and John Golden (single) both scored on a single by left fielder Gene Munoz.

Chicago added two runs in the 8th inning off Ricardo Zabala.

Pinch hitter Emil Grabarkski singled and scored on a triple off the bat of first sacker Randy Duggan. Duggan tagged and came in on a fly ball hit by Pete Vargus.

Amos Otten pitched the ninth for his 6th save striking out one of the three batters he faced.

Final 5-2 Chicago

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Chicago 5 Pittsburgh 1

Twenty five year old left hander Erik Lancelotti finished off a marvelous series for the Chicago pitching staff going nine innings (second complete game of the series for Chicago) allowing just one run on four hits with one base on balls and eleven strikeouts.

Lancelotti allowed the only Pittsburgh run in the first inning when he walked lead off batter Luis Ramirez. Ramirez stole second base, went to third on a ground out and scored on a sacrifice fly by Harry Gharrity.

The Sox jumped all over Pittsburgh starter Bunny Haldeman scoring three runs in the third aand two more in the fourth to finish off Haldeman.

In the third inning Dennis Tomer doubled and Duane Lansing walked with one out Larry Schrenk singled to left field scoring Tomer and Lansing.

Lancelotti helped himself with a RBI single in the fourth inning. Scorting on that hit was Brad Frazier who had singled. Lansing followed that with his second hit of the game driving in the final run

Final 5-1 Chicago.

After completing their nine game homestand with a 8-1 record the Sox now go into enemy territory for the first time, and we will find out how well they play before hostile crowds.

Their first stop will be in Colorado for three games and then complete the six game trip with three in Miami.

Rick Frias (1-1 2.40) will start the first game in Colorado opposed by Colorado ace Paul Keefe, off to a poor start at 0-2 6.75.