White Sox seize game one as the Rocket flames out in World Series

Sun Oct 23.

CHICAGO (AFP) - Joe Crede and Jermaine Dye blasted solo homers as the Chicago White Sox pounded out 10 hits to beat the Houston Astros 5-3 in the opening game of the 2005 World Series.
"I was just fortunate to be right spot at right time," Crede said Saturday. "There is no bigger stage to perform on than this one so it is big honour."
The White Sox take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven Fall Classic which features the champions of Major League Baseball's American and National Leagues.
The Astros and White Sox have suffered through two of the longest World Series droughts in history, ensuring that 2005 will mark the sixth consecutive year that a different club will be crowned champion.
"Although we had a great chance to score more runs, you just saw Chicago baseball," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "It is the White Sox. The way we run.
"I think when you execute well and get clutch hits like the base hit with two outs, that's the team that has a better chance to win."
Cuban pitcher Jose Contreras won the battle of the October veterans as he outduelled Houston's starter Roger Clemens, who is considered one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history.
But the Rocket fizzled on Saturday, lasting just two innings due to a sore hamstring. Clemens gave up three runs on four hits in taking the loss in front of a sold-out crowd of 41,206 at US Cellular Field.
He was replaced by Wandy Rodriguez, who allowed the home run to infielder Crede that gave a 4-3 lead to a White Sox club that is seeking its first title in 88 years.
Contreras pitched seven innings, had two strikeouts and gave up six hits to register the victory.
The White Sox are winning in the post-season by blending traditional baseball with today's power game.
Dye hit a solo homer in the first inning for Chicago but the south-siders also benefitted from some timely hitting, smart baserunning and a strong bullpen.
Chicago got a run off a single by AJ Pierzynski in the second. Pierzynski scored later in the inning to make it 3-1 on a two-out double by shortstop Juan Uribe.
Outfielder Dye blasted a 383 foot solo home run to the bullpen in right field off Clemens to give the White Sox a 1-0 lead in the first inning.
It was the first post-season home run for Dye, who was signed as a free agent by Chicago despite a reputation as being injury prone.
Astros left fielder Mike Lamb tied it 1-1 in the top of the second with a solo shot of his own that sailed 408 feet into the centre-field bleachers.
Lamb, who was originally drafted by the Rangers in 1997, was making the first World Series at-bat of his career.
Pierzynski and Carl Everett scored runs for the White Sox in the bottom of the second to make it 3-1. Pierzynski singled on a fielder's choice to drive in Everett and then scored when shortstop Uribe doubled.
Clemens was replaced to start the bottom of the third by 26-year-old rookie left hander Rodriguez who split time between the Astros and their farm teams in Round Rock and Corpus Christi in 2005.
Afterwards Clemens said he was hobbled by a strained left hamstring.
"I had the problem in the second inning and fought my way through it," Clemens said.
"The fluid already started to build up in my leg. So they gave me some medication, and I am going to get it treated."
In the third, Astros infielder Lance Berkman hit a clutch double to right field to score two runners and tie the game at 3-3 for Houston who are trying to follow the footsteps of the 2002 Anaheim Angels and win the World Series in their first try.
Houston manager Phil Garner was not happy with his pitching in game one.
"We gave them too many opportunities," Garner said. "There were too many walks and we pitched behind the whole game."
Chicago regained the lead for good in the fourth as Crede drove a high fast ball from Contreras over the left-field fence and just out of the reach of leaping Houston outfielder Willy Taveras.
The White Sox stumbled in the bottom of the seventh but they were saved by hard-throwing Bobby Jenks who struck out Jeff Bagwell with a 100mph fastball leaving two runners stranded on base.
Jenks was outstanding in pitching 4 1/3 scoreless innings with four strikeouts in posting the save.
"He (Bagwell) chases fastballs up above the zone. I was sticking to what I do best, going with my strengths and against his weaknesses," Jenks said.
Astros Garner was particularly impressed with the job Jenks did.
"Nobody hits Jenks," he said.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/