1.
August 6, 2008, 10:55 am est
News: Nick Swisher, who entered in the 11th to play first base, hit a three-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the 14th and Chicago rallied for four runs off Joel Zumaya to beat the Tigers 10-8 Tuesday night. "I didn't even really anticipate playing," said Swisher, who was mobbed by his teammates at the plate. "We scratched and we clawed and we pulled some runs together. I've been talking about that all year long -- the will to fight." Swisher had entered the game in the 11th after Paul Konerko had been removed for a pinch-runner in the 10th. "It feels like you're hitting on sound at that point in time," Swisher said of Zumaya's high-90s fastball. "He's one of those guys that obviously throws a very plus-plus fastball. In that situation all I was really trying to do was put the barrel on the ball. He's generating so much power with his fastball if you hit it solidly -- which is rare -- it's going to go a long way."
Analysis: Swisher is much better than he has shown this season, so consider him a candidate for a huge second half. The Ken Griffey trade does push Swisher into a possible platoon situation between center field and first base, but he should play more often than not. When he is going well, which has been rare this season, he is a solid start in all Fantasy leagues. Watch the streaky slugger for a hot stretch
1.
August 6, 2008, 1:55 am est
Swisher's hit safely in five of his last six contests, drilling two homers with five RBIs in that stretch. Expect the switch-hitting slugger to turn things around in the coming weeks, as he finished July with a dismal .193 average that clearly did very little for his fantasy value.
2.
August 6, 2008, 1:50 am est
The Detroit Free Press reports Chicago White Sox OF Nick Swisher hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 14th inning on Tuesday, Aug. 5, giving his team a 10-8 win over the Detroit Tigers.
3.
August 6, 2008, 1:45 am est
Nick Swisher delivered a walkoff homer off Joel Zumaya in the bottom of the 14th in the White Sox's 10-8 win over the Tigers on Tuesday. Placido Polanco homered in the top of the 14th to give the Tigers an 8-6 lead, but Joel Zumaya, who was hurt by an Edgar Renteria error, couldn't hold it in the bottom of the inning. Swisher's three-run blast was his 16th of the season. He didn't start the game, but we're guessing his heroics will guarantee that he's in Wednesday's lineup. The White Sox are fortunate their decision to play Ken Griffey Jr. over him against a left-hander didn't cost them the game.
4.
August 6, 2008, 1:15 am est
Nick Swisher didn't start the game on Tuesday night, but he ended it with a three-run homer in the bottom of the 14th inning. The White Sox beat the Tigers 10-8.Swisher has seen his playing time reduced since the Ken Griffey trade, but he will still rotate into the lineup and get pinch-hit chances. He still has a spot in AL-only formats.