The 25,000+ fans who braved the wind and cold at U.S. Cellular Field Wednesday night witnessed a rarity in sports -- a multiple homerun game, a grand slam and no-hitter in the same game.
Starter Mark Buehrle was brilliant in a 6-0 victory over the Texas Rangers, facing the minimum of 27 batters and striking out eight in a speedy two-hour, three-minute game. It could have been a perfect game had it not been for a fifth inning walk to Sammy Sosa, whom Buehrle promptly picked off. It the first no-hitter by a Sox starter since Wilson Alvarez did it in 1991 against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Sox brass has said that Buehrle, as well as outfielder Jermaine Dye and second baseman Tadahito Iguchi, should consider free agency when this season ends, but after Wednesday night’s performance, they may want to reconsider. In addition to Buehrle’s no-no, Dye hit a grand slam in the fifth inning after fouling off seven pitches. DH Jim Thome added two solo shots.
If I’m Kenny Williams or Jerry Reinsdorf, I have to reconsider my game plan where these Sox players are concerned. After Buehrle’s shaky performance in the second-half of last season, Williams was reluctant to commit to giving the lefty a new contract. But if Buehrle continues to pitch the way he has in his last two starts – he’s only given up one hit in his last 15 innings – the Sox may have to find the dough to offer Buehrle a new deal.
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