Belle Is Heating Up for the White Sox

CHICAGO — Albert Belle is finally starting to hit after a slow start. No real surprise there. The Chicago White Sox didn’t shell out $55 million for his fielding or public relations talents.

“He’s led the league in [runs batted in] the last two years. That’s why we brought him in here,” Frank Thomas said Sunday after Belle hit a grand slam and drove in five runs in an 8-5 victory over the Oakland Athletics that completed a four-game sweep.

“We’re starting to score some runs like we’re capable,” Thomas said. “This game is all peaks and valleys. We’re on a little peak right now and we got to build on that.”

The victory, Chicago’s sixth in the last seven games, was marred by a violent outfield collision between Lyle Mouton and Dave Martinez while chasing a fifth-inning fly ball.

Mouton, the right fielder, broke a bone near his right eye and will miss three to six weeks. Martinez, the center fielder, sustained a slight concussion. The White Sox placed Mouton on the disabled list and called up Mike Cameron from the minors.

Mouton and Martinez were taken to a hospital for tests.

“They ran into each other. That happens in baseball from time to time,” Chicago Manager Terry Bevington said.

Chicago starter Wilson Alvarez, who matched a career high with 12 strikeouts, said he didn’t want to look at his teammates after the collision.

“It’s still on my mind,” Alvarez said. “You should see Lyle’s face. It’s kind of bad. We’re going to miss him. He’s been hot right now.”

Belle again refused comment, as he has since April 11, despite his pledges in spring training to be more cooperative with fans and reporters.

He has an eight-game hitting streak and has hit .353 in his last 13 games.

“Albert Belle turned the corner the day he signed and got into the big leagues,” Bevington said. “He’s a quality hitter and we’re not worried about him.”

Belle, who went three for three with a double, single and sacrifice fly, lined his eighth career grand slam after the Athletics elected to intentionally walk Thomas with runners at second and third in the third inning.

“They weren’t trying to pitch around me, just set up a situation for the double play,” Thomas said.

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