Sox, Thomas roll along To `MVP' chant from sellout crowd, Big Hurt carries Sox past Devil Rays

The naysayers are bent on finding the White Sox' shortcomings,even as the team builds on its American League-best record-now at 74-49-and heads for the postseason.

Too inexperienced, they say.

Too many untested young pitchers.

So be it, manager Jerry Manuel answers.

"When we get there (to the playoffs), I probably won't beconcerned." he said. "I'm mainly concerned that we play well for thisperiod of time (in the regular season)."

Playing his best now is the man who could be the league's best,Frank Thomas.

His three-run homer off Albie Lopez (10-9) in the seventh inningSaturday sealed a 7-0 victory over Tampa Bay for Mike Sirotka (11-10) and maintained the Sox' nine-game lead over Cleveland in the ALCentral.

The homer, a line drive that cleared the left-field wall with twoouts, hiked Thomas' league lead to 38. He is just three short of hiscareer best, set in 1993-the year he won the first of his two MVPawards.

The sold-out Comiskey Park crowd of 38,926 cast their votes forhis third, shouting "MVP!" as Thomas rounded the bases.

"There's no doubt Frank has to be considered (as MVP) because histeam is playing the best baseball in the league and he's come throughwith clutch home runs and clutch hits all year," Manuel said.

"I witnessed Albert Belle's second half in 1998 (when he set aclub record 49 home runs), but to see Frank day in and day out, he'sprobably the best right-handed hitter I've ever seen."

Thomas' play in his last 12 games-hitting .347 (17-49) with eighthome runs and 22 RBI and a .918 slugging percentage-is all the moreremarkable because he has been hampered by a sore back.

"It's tweaked a little, but it'll be better in a few days," hesaid, an ice pack strapped to his lower back. "A lot of guys arehurting now, but we're finding ways to win. We're playing as a teamand we're staying that way. Guys are doing their job day in and dayout.

"I've worked my butt off this year," he said. "I've worked harderthan I've ever worked, but there are no shortcuts to success.

"It's great (to hear the fans), but I can't lose my focus. This isa very special season and I've felt that way all along. I'm glad thefans are supporting us. There's no better place to win than inChicago."

Thomas, who had four RBI to up his total to 115, capped anotherimpressive display by the offense, with Magglio Ordonez driving inhis 100th run of the season-his second straight-and five playersgetting multiple hits.

Among them, Ray Durham has collected eight hits in his last 17 at-bats, Herbert Perry with two hits snapped an 0-for-7 stretch and JoseValentin extended a hitting streak to nine straight.

The Sox have won six of their last nine games.

"They're a good team, and they have the record to prove it," DevilRays manager Larry Rothschild said. "They are not a team you're goingto beat if you aren't playing your top game."

The Devil Rays got no breaks from Sirotka, who allowed only threesingles in six innings in matching his victory total for last season.

Relievers Bill Simas, Kelly Wunsch and Lorenzo Barcelo pitchedthree hitless innings.

"You realize that it depends on the starting pitching," saidSirotka, only 2-4 with one no-decision since the All-Star break.Manuel pulled him after he threw 100 pitches (five walks) as part ofa new strategy to conserve the starters.

"I don't think that's a bad strategy," Sirotka said. "There's noreason at this point to extend yourself to 120 pitches. I thinkthey're trying to prevent some wear and tear."

Manuel is hoping Sirotka's performance signals a turnaround forthe remaining six weeks.

"He's been the type of pitcher that when he gets in a groove, hecan stay in it," Manuel said. "No one knows how long a rut can last.We needed a good performance from him tonight."