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White Sox tie mark with four straight homers

Aug 15, 2008 - 1:05 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago White Sox capped their 10-game homestand Thursday with a record-tying home run barrage.

Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramirez and Juan Uribe all hit home runs in the sixth inning, powering the White Sox to a 9-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

Chicago equaled a major league mark for most consecutive home runs, a feat last accomplished by the Boston Red Sox against Chase Wright of the New York Yankees in a game at Fenway Park on April 22, 2007.

"I don't think I have ever seen something like that happen," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "It sure came at the right time for us, too, so I didn't have to overuse some guys in our bullpen before our series this weekend in Oakland."

With the win, Chicago (68-52) opened a one-game lead over idle Minnesota in the American League Central Division.

With the White Sox holding a 3-2 lead, Thome started the eruption with a three-run shot. The first three homers were surrendered by Joel Peralta, and Robinson Tejeda gave up the fourth one as Chicago turned a close game into a rout.

"We just kind of exploded and it was great to watch," Thome said. "It's kind of cool to sit in the dugout and see it happen, I think the whole team was pulling for Toby (Hall) to make it five in a row when he went up to bat."

Hall wanted to extend the run, but admitted he swung at a pitch that was too high and struck out.

"The funny thing was being on-deck and telling Uribe there was no pressure to make it four straight," Hall said. "Then, he hits one, so for the first time in my career I went up to bat trying to hit home run."

Chicago tied a team record for most home runs in an inning, but Wednesday marked the first time the White Sox hit four in consecutive at-bats. The last time they belted four homers in an inning was on August 27 of last season against Tampa Bay.

The home run for Thome was the 532nd of his career, leaving him only two behind Jimmy Foxx for 15th on the all-time list. Uribe's blast ended a streak of 107 at-bats without a homer.

"I don't think any of us were thinking about this and then it just happened," Konerko said. "The score doesn't indicate how tight this game was for awhile, but four in a row and tying a record, we will take it."

Lance Broadway (1-0) was gone when the barrage started, but he earned his second career win and first of the season, allowing two runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings. Both his wins have come against the Royals, whom he blanked, 10-0, on September 27 in his first major league start.

"In the first inning I made some bad pitches," Broadway said. "Then the next two innings, they hit so many foul balls off me I thought I would be gone after three innings."

For his effort, Broadway earned a trip back to the minor leagues. After the game, the White Sox optioned him to Class AAA Charlotte. He was recalled when Jose Contreras was placed on the disabled list Sunday.

"At least I am headed back with a win, so things are good," Broadway said. "Whenever the White Sox need me, I'll be ready to come back. Until then, I will go have fun in Charlotte."

A former first-round draft pick by the White Sox, the 24-year-old took the spot in the rotation vacated by the injured Contreras. Guillen opted to start Broadway and send D.J. Carrasco to the bullpen.

Kansas City starter Kyle Davies (5-4) took the loss, yielding three runs and nine hits in five innings.

"I wanted to go longer but I threw a lot of pitches," Davies said. "They hit a lot of foul balls, so I have to finish better. I am not happy with the loss but I am making progress."

Royals manager Trey Hillman could barely believe what he was seeing during Chicago's home run deluge.

"It hurts and you know it's happening because you are seeing it," Hillman said. "We weren't making pitches. We left pitches over the plate to dangerous hitters. That makes it easy for them."