But manager
"We still have a long ways to go," he said after watching his team's 7-3 victory over
If the Sox could play their remaining 34 games at home, it would be no contest. They're 41-22 at
But the Sox have 16 games left on the road, including three at
Still, the Sox are thrilled after winning their fourth straight game to overtake the Royals, who lost 4-3 to Minnesota on Thursday.
"You want to be the team that everyone is chasing,"
Crede keyed the Sox victory Thursday. He singled and scored in the fourth inning, homered in the sixth and ripped a two-run triple in the seventh.
Perhaps most impressive, Crede was playing his first game since Sunday after spraining a toe on his left foot.
The injury seemed to come at the worst possible time considering Crede had a 10-game hitting streak, during which he was batting .429.
Manuel looked at it differently.
"I think the injury gave him a nice little break because he has been out there day in and day out for us," Manuel said. "I think he's fresh."
Crede worked before the game with hitting coach Greg Walker on releasing his top hand through the swing. But Crede said the biggest difference has been his renewed patience at the plate.
That showed in the seventh when he pounced on
"I got good extension on it," Crede said.
Crede's second career triple put the Sox ahead 7-3, which was plenty of cushion for relievers Kelly Wunsch and
Frank Thomas also provided a highlight, hitting his 407th career home run. That ties him with
Manuel also was excited about the acquisition of Reds right-hander
"Getting a guy with his experience is huge for us," Manuel said. "I haven't watched him pitch in some time, but I'll say this: He's a guy we've been interested in for a while."
But the night belonged to Crede, who thrilled his legion of fans who regularly hold up a sign in center field that reads: Crede's crew.
"Some of the players joked with me about paying them to put the sign up there," Crede said. "I even had a friend go up there to try to find out who they are.
"It seems like every time they come I have a good game, so I'm not opposed to it."