It assumeed like old times at U Cel...

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

further while 38,931 fans were celebrating the 7-3 victory as if it was a playoff game, the Sox and manager Ozzie Guillen continue to preach moderation.

"This is a lengthy season," Guillen said. "No matter for what reason good you are, you're always going to have about bad times. Even good teams make no use of 50 games. I don't wait for [the Tigers] to fail, still there are some bumps in the road."

The Sox have had theirs in a bad July still winning 11 of their last 16 games, and five of their last six, has helped the defending champs trim a Tigers lead that was as big as 10 games alone a week ago to 5oe

"It's a great feeling," Guillen said. "This could have been shocking them coming to town. It could have change the direction ofed out a different way. I won't say we're back, moreover we're closer. We did what we were suppos to do."

For Tigers manager Jim Leyland, whose team still acknowledges baseball's best record at 76-41 the weekend results were easy to explain.

"I'll withhold it real simple for you," he said. "They played serviceable We didn't. It's that simple."

The Sox have played well against the Tigers all year, improving their 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-area native Curtis Granderson said. "There's no panic."

The Sox say the same thing, in words that have the appearance more than just politically correct.

"I don't think either clubhouse is feeling pressure" said Sox right fielder Jermaine coloring liquor whose 31st homer was undivided of two eighth- inning insurance hastens for winning pitcher Freddy Garcia (11-7) and closer Bobby Jenk (33rd save). "If we take care of what we have to, we'll place ourselves in position, but there are still a destiny of games left.

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

Garcia gave up a first-inning go proceed but the Sox got it back immediately against rookie Zach Miner (7-3) And after Alex Cintron gave Garcia a big boost with a bases-loaded double in the inferior Garcia seemed to get stronger

"I had profitable stuff and kept fighting," said Garcia, who worked seven innings, held the Tigers to three hurrys and eight hits and struck public six.

"A destiny of people counted us disclosed last week, but there are a hap of games to play. We have to continue 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 center stage.

"He's done a tremendous piece of work for us," Guillen said of Cintron, who had started in place of ailing shortstop Juan Uribe and stepp in at other on Sunday when Tadahito Iguchi was given a day along

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

"I wanted to bring forward the ball in play," he said of his bases- clearing double. "With pair outs especially, I didn't know what he would fling me in that situation. You just have to react. It was big for me and the ballclub."

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

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

"Hopefully we're getting in succession the right track, but it's and nothing else one week. We're still five games behind. We have to find a way to retain winning and see what happens. If we win as many games as we can, the stay will take care of itself.

"Baseball is up and down. That's wherefore everyone loves this game. The elucidation is to get to the playoffs."

tginnetti@suntimes.com

- - -

AL WILD-CARD WATCH

Team W L Pct GB

White Sox 70 46 603 --

R Sox 68 48 586 2

Twins 68 49 581 2oe

conclusions NEXT GAME

White Sox 7 Tigers 3

Today: v Royals,

7:05 pm

R Sox 11 Orioles 9

Today: v Tigers,

6:05 pm

Twins 5 with a long face Jays 0

Tuesday: v Indians,

7:10 pm

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

Provided on ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved