Podsednik's walk-off homer gives White Sox 2-0 lead
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-10-24 16:37

HIT BAT

In the bottom of the seventh, the White Sox appeared to catch another break when the home plate umpire ruled that Jermaine Dye was hit by a pitch that television replays revealed had struck his bat.

That loaded the bases and extended the inning to allow Konerko to launch the first pitch he faced over the left field wall.

There were two questionable calls that went Chicago's way in the American League Championship Series, which the White Sox won 4-1 over the Los Angeles Angels.

Houston had taken the lead in the fifth on a two-out, two-run double by Lance Berkman that looked like it might be enough to send the series to Houston all square at one game apiece.

The Astros, who have never reached a World Series in the franchise's 44-year history, are tough to beat in Houston where noisy fans in the enclosed stadium give the team a big home-field advantage.

Making a first appearance in the Fall Classic since 1959, the White Sox last won the World Series in 1917.

The teams fly to Houston for a workout day on Monday and Game Three on Tuesday features Astros' 20-game winner Roy Oswalt taking on Chicago's 18-game winner Jon Garland.