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TechnographCrede's slam ends stalemate as Sox capture home opener
Veteran enjoying fast start, staying healthy this year
By Andrew Seligman, The Associated Press
Posted: 4/8/08 Section: Sports
CHICAGO - Joe Crede appeared to be the Chicago White Sox's forgotten man, but now that he's healthy, he's sending out reminders - like that loud one he delivered on Monday.
Crede hit a tiebreaking grand slam to cap a five-run seventh inning, and Chicago won its home opener 7-4 over the Minnesota Twins.
Coming off a weekend sweep at Detroit, Chicago has won five straight for the first time since Aug. 10-14, 2006. The White Sox have won six of their last seven home openers.
Crede, batting .393 with 10 RBIs, endured a back injury last season and trade rumors in the offseason. Last year, limited to 47 games because of his bad back, he hit .216 with 22 RBIs. With Josh Fields also available to play third, Chicago explored trade opportunities for Crede during much of the offseason.
"The biggest thing coming into this season was staying healthy," said Crede, who struggled in spring training. "For me that was my main goal in the spring, was to be able to get out there and feel comfortable at the plate, feel comfortable on defense and No. 1 to stay healthy."
Jermaine Dye tied the score at 3 with a one-out RBI single off Pat Neshek, who had just relieved Matt Guerrier (0-1). A.J. Pierzynski struck out, and Carlos Quentin loaded the bases with a single.
Crede broke his bat while driving a 1-0 pitch to the bullpen in left for the fifth slam, his first since June 24, 2006, against Houston. He didn't think that high arching shot had a chance to clear the wall. Nor did Neshek.
It did, by a few feet, and the crowd erupted.
"I thought Delmon (Young) was going to come over in foul territory and scoop it up or if anything it would go out into the crowd and be a foul ball," Neshek said. "But it stayed straight. You hate that stuff when it happens as a pitcher, but we have another 150-some games left. Hopefully, it doesn't happen too much more."
The White Sox would like to see more of this from Crede.
"Everyone knows what Joe can do when Joe's healthy," Pierzynski said. "I don't think there are too many people in this clubhouse worried about what Joe Crede's going to do if he's healthy."
Crede hit a tiebreaking grand slam to cap a five-run seventh inning, and Chicago won its home opener 7-4 over the Minnesota Twins.
Coming off a weekend sweep at Detroit, Chicago has won five straight for the first time since Aug. 10-14, 2006. The White Sox have won six of their last seven home openers.
Crede, batting .393 with 10 RBIs, endured a back injury last season and trade rumors in the offseason. Last year, limited to 47 games because of his bad back, he hit .216 with 22 RBIs. With Josh Fields also available to play third, Chicago explored trade opportunities for Crede during much of the offseason.
"The biggest thing coming into this season was staying healthy," said Crede, who struggled in spring training. "For me that was my main goal in the spring, was to be able to get out there and feel comfortable at the plate, feel comfortable on defense and No. 1 to stay healthy."
Jermaine Dye tied the score at 3 with a one-out RBI single off Pat Neshek, who had just relieved Matt Guerrier (0-1). A.J. Pierzynski struck out, and Carlos Quentin loaded the bases with a single.
Crede broke his bat while driving a 1-0 pitch to the bullpen in left for the fifth slam, his first since June 24, 2006, against Houston. He didn't think that high arching shot had a chance to clear the wall. Nor did Neshek.
It did, by a few feet, and the crowd erupted.
"I thought Delmon (Young) was going to come over in foul territory and scoop it up or if anything it would go out into the crowd and be a foul ball," Neshek said. "But it stayed straight. You hate that stuff when it happens as a pitcher, but we have another 150-some games left. Hopefully, it doesn't happen too much more."
The White Sox would like to see more of this from Crede.
"Everyone knows what Joe can do when Joe's healthy," Pierzynski said. "I don't think there are too many people in this clubhouse worried about what Joe Crede's going to do if he's healthy."
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