GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: MINNESOTA (45-41) at CHI WHITE SOX (37-47)

AL: MINNESOTA at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">AL AT CHI WHITE SOX - PITCHING CHANGE
MIN: DENNYS REYES (1-1, 4.12) IN THE 8TH
SITUATION: NO RUNS IN, J OWENS ON FIRST, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 0, CHI WHITE SOX 3

DUE UP FOR CHWHITESOX: J THOME (.269, 0-FOR-3, RBI)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">AL AT CHI WHITE SOX - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: D Reyes relieved P Neshek.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, J OWENS ON FIRST, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 0
CHI WHITE SOX 3 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR CHI WHITE SOX: J Thome (.269, 0-FOR-3, RBI)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
MINNESOTA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
CHI WHITE SOX 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 5 1 (TOP 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: MIN - DENNYS REYES
CHA - MARK BUEHRLE

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: M REDMOND (.289, 2-FOR-3)
M CUDDYER (.274, 0-FOR-3)
J MORNEAU (.290, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA (0) VS CHI WHITE SOX (3) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS

MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
L Castillo 2b 4 0 2 0 0 1 1 .308
J Bartlett ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .254
M Redmond c 3 0 2 0 0 0 1 .289
M Cuddyer rf 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 .274
J Morneau 1b 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .290
T Hunter cf 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .304
J Cirillo dh 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 .272
L Ford lf 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 .250
N Punto 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .207

Totals 27 0 6 0 2 1 13

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Cuddyer 1. GIDP - M
Redmond, N Punto, J Cirillo. Team LOB - 5.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (N Punto-L Castillo-J Morneau).


CHI WHITE SOX ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Owens cf 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .225
T Iguchi 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .253
J Thome dh 3 1 0 1 0 0 1 .269
P Konerko 1b 2 1 1 2 1 0 0 .263
A Pierzynski c 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 .243
J Fields 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .252
R Mackowiak lf 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 .257
L Terrero rf 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 .232
J Uribe ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .231

Totals 26 3 5 3 2 4 7

BATTING: HR - P Konerko (17, 4th inning off B Bonser 1 on, 1 Out). S - J Uribe.
RBI - J Thome (42), P Konerko 2 (47). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out -
T Iguchi 1. GIDP - J Fields. Team LOB - 2.

BASERUNNING: SB - J Owens (5, 2nd base off B Bonser/M Redmond). CS - J Owens
(2, 2nd base by D Reyes).

FIELDING: E - J Uribe (9, ground ball). DP: 4 (J Uribe-T Iguchi-P Konerko 2,
T Iguchi-P Konerko, P Konerko).


----------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA - 000 000 00 -- 0
CHI WHITE SOX - 000 300 00 -- 3
----------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
B Bonser 7 4 3 3 2 4 1 4.70
P Neshek 2/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.71
D Reyes 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.05

CHI WHITE SOX ip h r er bb so hr era
M Buehrle 8 6 0 0 2 1 0 3.03

Pitches-strikes: B Bonser 105-71; P Neshek 7-6; D Reyes 2-1; M Buehrle
111-71. Ground balls-fly balls: B Bonser 15-2; P Neshek 0-2; D Reyes 0-0; M
Buehrle 12-10. Batters faced: B Bonser 26; P Neshek 3; D Reyes 0; M Buehrle 29.


UMPIRES: HP--Bob Davidson. 1B--Todd Tichenor. 2B--Sam Holbrook. 3B--Randy
Marsh.

Weather: 85 degrees, sunny. Wind: 8 mph, right to left.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">AL AT CHI WHITE SOX - PITCHING CHANGE
CHA: BOBBY JENKS (2-4, 3.12) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 0, CHI WHITE SOX 3

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: M REDMOND (.289, 2-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">AL AT CHI WHITE SOX - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: B Jenks relieved M Buehrle.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 0
CHI WHITE SOX 3 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: M Redmond (.289, 2-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">AL AT CHI WHITE SOX - SCORING UPDATE
SACRIFICE FLY BY TORII HUNTER SCORED MICHAEL CUDDYER.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, J MORNEAU ON FIRST, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 1
CHI WHITE SOX 3 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J CIRILLO (.272, 0-FOR-2, BB)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">AL AT CHI WHITE SOX - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Kubel hit for J Cirillo.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, J MORNEAU ON FIRST, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 1
CHI WHITE SOX 3 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J Kubel (.255, 7 HR, 37 RBI)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
MINNESOTA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 7 0
CHI WHITE SOX 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 x 3 5 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: MIN - BOOF BONSER, PAT NESHEK (8TH), DENNYS REYES (8TH) AND MIKE
REDMOND

CHA - MARK BUEHRLE, BOBBY JENKS (9TH) AND A.J.
PIERZYNSKI

HOME RUNS: MIN - NONE

CHA - PAUL KONERKO (17) OFF BOOF BONSER IN THE 4TH, 1 ON</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
MINNESOTA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 7 0
CHI WHITE SOX 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 x 3 5 1 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: MIN - BOOF BONSER, PAT NESHEK (8TH), DENNYS REYES (8TH) AND MIKE
REDMOND

CHA - MARK BUEHRLE, BOBBY JENKS (9TH) AND A.J.
PIERZYNSKI


WP - MARK BUEHRLE (6-4)
LP - BOOF BONSER (5-6)
SAVE - BOBBY JENKS (23)

HOME RUNS: MIN - NONE

CHA - PAUL KONERKO (17) OFF BOOF BONSER IN THE 4TH, 1 ON


TIME: 2:20 ATT: 36,791

PROBABLES: MIN - CARLOS SILVA (6-9, 4.37)
CHA - JAVIER VAZQUEZ (5-5, 3.70)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA (1) VS CHI WHITE SOX (3) - FINAL

MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
L Castillo 2b 4 0 2 0 0 1 1 .308
J Bartlett ss 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .254
M Redmond c 4 0 2 0 0 1 1 .287
M Cuddyer rf 3 1 0 0 1 0 3 .274
J Morneau 1b 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .292
T Hunter cf 3 0 1 1 0 0 2 .304
J Cirillo dh 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 .272
a-J Kubel ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .254
L Ford lf 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 .250
N Punto 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .207

Totals 30 1 7 1 3 2 15

a-grounded to second for J Cirillo in the 9th.

BATTING: SF - T Hunter. RBI - T Hunter (68). Runners left in scoring position,
2 out - M Cuddyer 1, J Kubel 1. GIDP - M Redmond, N Punto, J Cirillo. Team LOB
- 6.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (N Punto-L Castillo-J Morneau).


CHI WHITE SOX ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Owens cf 4 1 2 0 0 0 1 .225
T Iguchi 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .253
J Thome dh 3 1 0 1 0 0 1 .269
P Konerko 1b 2 1 1 2 1 0 0 .263
A Pierzynski c 3 0 0 0 0 2 1 .243
J Fields 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .252
R Mackowiak lf 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 .257
L Terrero rf 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 .232
J Uribe ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .231

Totals 26 3 5 3 2 4 7

BATTING: HR - P Konerko (17, 4th inning off B Bonser 1 on, 1 Out). S - J Uribe.
RBI - J Thome (42), P Konerko 2 (47). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out -
T Iguchi 1. GIDP - J Fields. Team LOB - 2.

BASERUNNING: SB - J Owens (5, 2nd base off B Bonser/M Redmond). CS - J Owens
(2, 2nd base by D Reyes).

FIELDING: E - J Uribe (9, ground ball). DP: 4 (J Uribe-T Iguchi-P Konerko 2,
T Iguchi-P Konerko, P Konerko).


----------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA - 000 000 001 -- 1
CHI WHITE SOX - 000 300 00x -- 3
----------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
B Bonser (L, 5-6) 7 4 3 3 2 4 1 4.70
P Neshek 2/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.71
D Reyes 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.05

CHI WHITE SOX ip h r er bb so hr era
M Buehrle (W, 6-4) 8 6 0 0 2 1 0 3.03
B Jenks (S, 23) 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 3.28

Pitches-strikes: B Bonser 105-71; P Neshek 7-6; D Reyes 2-1; M Buehrle
111-71; B Jenks 16-7. Ground balls-fly balls: B Bonser 15-2; P Neshek 0-2; D
Reyes 0-0; M Buehrle 12-10; B Jenks 1-1. Batters faced: B Bonser 26; P Neshek
3; D Reyes 0; M Buehrle 29; B Jenks 5.

UMPIRES: HP--Bob Davidson. 1B--Todd Tichenor. 2B--Sam Holbrook. 3B--Randy
Marsh.

T--2:20. Att--36,791.
Weather: 85 degrees, sunny. Wind: 8 mph, right to
left.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
MINNESOTA 1
CHI WHITE SOX 3 FINAL</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (1) AT CHI WHITE SOX (3) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHI WHITE SOX 4TH: J Owens reached on bunt single to catcher. J Owens
stole second. T Iguchi singled to left, J Owens to third. J Thome grounded
into fielder's choice to shortstop, J Owens scored, T Iguchi out at second.
P Konerko homered to left, J Thome scored. A Pierzynski grounded out to pitcher.
J Fields grounded out to second. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
CHI WHITE SOX 3.

MINNESOTA 9TH: B Jenks relieved M Buehrle. M Redmond struck out swinging.
M Cuddyer walked. J Morneau singled to center, M Cuddyer to third. T Hunter
hit sacrifice fly to center, M Cuddyer scored. J Kubel hit for J Cirillo.
J Morneau to second on fielder's indifference. J Kubel grounded out to second.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, CHI WHITE SOX 3.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (1) AT CHI WHITE SOX (3) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHI WHITE SOX 4TH: J Owens reached on bunt single to catcher. J Owens
stole second. T Iguchi singled to left, J Owens to third. J Thome grounded
into fielder's choice to shortstop, J Owens scored, T Iguchi out at second.
P Konerko homered to left, J Thome scored. A Pierzynski grounded out to pitcher.
J Fields grounded out to second. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
CHI WHITE SOX 3.

MINNESOTA 9TH: B Jenks relieved M Buehrle. M Redmond struck out swinging.
M Cuddyer walked. J Morneau singled to center, M Cuddyer to third. T Hunter
hit sacrifice fly to center, M Cuddyer scored. J Kubel hit for J Cirillo.
J Morneau to second on fielder's indifference. J Kubel grounded out to second.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, CHI WHITE SOX 3.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at CHI WHITE SOX

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (1) AT CHI WHITE SOX (3) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Minnesota Starting Lineups -- L Castillo 2B, J Bartlett SS, M Redmond C,
M Cuddyer RF, J Morneau 1B, T Hunter CF, J Cirillo DH, L Ford LF, N Punto 3B,
B Bonser RHP.

Chi White Sox Starting Lineups -- J Owens CF, T Iguchi 2B, J Thome DH,
P Konerko 1B, A Pierzynski C, J Fields 3B, R Mackowiak LF, L Terrero RF,
J Uribe SS, M Buehrle LHP.

Umpires -- Bob Davidson (HP), Todd Tichenor (1B), Sam Holbrook (2B),
Randy Marsh (3B).

Gametime Weather: 85 degrees, Sunny, wind right to left at 8 mph.


MINNESOTA 1ST: L Castillo reached on infield single to shortstop.
J Bartlett safe at first on error by shortstop J Uribe, L Castillo to second.
M Redmond grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, J Bartlett out
at second, L Castillo to third. M Cuddyer flied out to left. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
1 Error) MINNESOTA 0, CHI WHITE SOX 0.

CHI WHITE SOX 1ST: J Owens grounded out to shortstop. T Iguchi popped out
to second. J Thome grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, CHI WHITE SOX 0.

MINNESOTA 2ND: J Morneau grounded out to shortstop. T Hunter grounded out
to third. J Cirillo walked. L Ford flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, CHI WHITE SOX 0.

CHI WHITE SOX 2ND: P Konerko walked. A Pierzynski struck out looking.
J Fields grounded into double play, third to second to first, P Konerko out at
second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, CHI WHITE SOX 0.

MINNESOTA 3RD: N Punto grounded out to first. L Castillo struck out
looking. J Bartlett popped out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, CHI WHITE SOX 0.

CHI WHITE SOX 3RD: R Mackowiak struck out swinging. L Terrero struck out
swinging. J Uribe grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, CHI WHITE SOX 0.

MINNESOTA 4TH: M Redmond singled to right. M Cuddyer flied out to center.
J Morneau flied out to center. T Hunter popped out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, CHI WHITE SOX 0.

CHI WHITE SOX 4TH: J Owens reached on bunt single to catcher. J Owens
stole second. T Iguchi singled to left, J Owens to third. J Thome grounded
into fielder's choice to shortstop, J Owens scored, T Iguchi out at second.
P Konerko homered to left, J Thome scored. A Pierzynski grounded out to pitcher.
J Fields grounded out to second. (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
CHI WHITE SOX 3.

MINNESOTA 5TH: J Cirillo grounded out to third. L Ford walked. N Punto
grounded into double play, second to first, L Ford out at second.(0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, CHI WHITE SOX 3.

CHI WHITE SOX 5TH: R Mackowiak singled to center. L Terrero walked,
R Mackowiak to second. J Uribe sacrificed to catcher, R Mackowiak to third,
L Terrero to second. J Owens grounded into fielder's choice to first,
R Mackowiak out at home, L Terrero to third. T Iguchi grounded out to third.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, CHI WHITE SOX 3.

MINNESOTA 6TH: L Castillo singled to center. J Bartlett lined into double
play, to first, L Castillo doubled off first. M Redmond singled to left.
M Cuddyer popped out to second. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
CHI WHITE SOX 3.

CHI WHITE SOX 6TH: J Thome grounded out to shortstop. P Konerko grounded
out to shortstop. A Pierzynski struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, CHI WHITE SOX 3.

MINNESOTA 7TH: J Morneau grounded out to first. T Hunter singled to left.
J Cirillo grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, T Hunter out
at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, CHI WHITE SOX 3.

CHI WHITE SOX 7TH: J Fields flied out to center. R Mackowiak grounded out
to shortstop. L Terrero grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, CHI WHITE SOX 3.

MINNESOTA 8TH: L Ford singled to right. N Punto flied out to right.
L Castillo grounded into fielder's choice to first, L Ford out at second.
J Bartlett flied out to left. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
CHI WHITE SOX 3.

CHI WHITE SOX 8TH: P Neshek relieved B Bonser. J Uribe flied out to center.
J Owens reached on bunt single to pitcher. T Iguchi fouled out to first.
D Reyes relieved P Neshek. J Owens caught stealing second, pitcher to first to
shortstop.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, CHI WHITE SOX 3.

MINNESOTA 9TH: B Jenks relieved M Buehrle. M Redmond struck out swinging.
M Cuddyer walked. J Morneau singled to center, M Cuddyer to third. T Hunter
hit sacrifice fly to center, M Cuddyer scored. J Kubel hit for J Cirillo.
J Morneau to second on fielder's indifference. J Kubel grounded out to second.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, CHI WHITE SOX 3.</div>

 

Buehrle blanks Twins as White Sox win

<h3>CHI WHITE SOX 3, MINNESOTA 1</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- If Mark Buehrle indeed is headed out of theWindy City, he certainly has been impressive auditioning to therest of baseball.

Buehrle delivered his sixth straight solid start Saturday,tossing eight scoreless innings to lead the Chicago White Sox toa 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

A three-time All-Star, Buehrle is eligible to become a freeagent after this season and has openly stated his desire to staywith the White Sox.

But contract negotiations between the team and Buehrle'srepresentatives reportedly stalled over the past week, leavingthe veteran lefthander as an enticing commodity on the trademarket.

The 28-year-old Buehrle (6-4) clearly has not been distracted bythe constant trade speculation, posting a 1.58 ERA over hislast six outings. The southpaw was at his best Saturday,yielding six hits and two walks with one strikeout whilethrowing 71 of 111 pitches for strikes.

Buehrle's performance was even more impressive considering therecent plight of Chicago's bullpen. The White Sox were swept inFriday's day-night doubleheader, allowing 32 combined runswhile taxing their relievers for nine total innings.

It was a different story Saturday, as Buehrle made it easy forWhite Sox manager Ozzie Guillen to avoid calling to the bullpen.The only Chicago reliever needed in this one was All-Starcloser Bobby Jenks, who allowed a run but still managed torecord his 23rd save.

Buehrle received all the offensive support he needed in thefourth inning, when the White Sox plated three runs againstTwins starter Boof Bonser (5-6).

Jerry Owens led off the frame with a bunt single, stole secondand advanced to third on Tadahito Iguchi's single. After Owensscored on Jim Thome's RBI groundout, Paul Konerko beltedBonser's 0-2 offering over the left field wall to make it 3-0.

It was the team-leading 17th home run for Konerko, who isbatting .360 (18-for-50) with five blasts in his last 14 games.Owens finished with two hits while Rob Mackowiak also singledfor Chicago, which improved to 3-4 on its eight-game homestand.

Bonser pitched effectively, surrendering three runs and fourhits over seven innings. The righthander walked two and struckout four but remained winless in his last five starts.

Minnesota finally got on the board in the ninth, when MichaelCuddyer drew a one-out walk from Jenks and advanced to third onJustin Morneau's single. Torii Hunter lofted a sacrifice fly toplate Cuddyer and draw the Twins within 3-1, but Jason Kubelgrounded out to end the contest.

 

Buehrle blanks Twins as White Sox win

<h3>CHI WHITE SOX 3, MINNESOTA 1</h3>CHICAGO (Ticker) -- If Mark Buehrle indeed is headed out of theWindy City, he certainly has been impressive auditioning to therest of baseball.

Buehrle delivered his sixth straight solid start Saturday,tossing eight scoreless innings to lead the Chicago White Sox toa 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

A three-time All-Star, Buehrle is eligible to become a freeagent after this season and has openly stated his desire to staywith the White Sox.

But contract negotiations between the team and Buehrle'srepresentatives reportedly stalled over the past week, leavingthe veteran lefthander as an enticing commodity on the trademarket.

"Personally for me, (a Buehrle trade) would be tough," White Soxfirst baseman Paul Konerko said. "I played with him for a longtime and you don't want to see one of your friends go. But asa team you can always use a guy like him to try to win."

The 28-year-old Buehrle (6-4) clearly has not been distracted bythe constant trade speculation, posting a 1.58 ERA over hislast six outings. The southpaw was at his best Saturday,yielding six hits and two walks with one strikeout whilethrowing 71 of 111 pitches for strikes.

"(Buehrle) was consistent. I think he threw the ballunbelievably well," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Hedid a tremendous job once again."

Buehrle's performance was even more impressive considering therecent plight of Chicago's bullpen. The White Sox were swept inFriday's day-night doubleheader, allowing 32 combined runswhile taxing their relievers for nine total innings.

"We needed it for our team and for our bullpen," White Soxcatcher A.J. Pierzynski said. "To give up thirty-some runsyesterday to only give up one run today is a huge lift."

It was a different story Saturday, as Buehrle made it easy forWhite Sox manager Ozzie Guillen to avoid calling to the bullpen.The only Chicago reliever needed in this one was All-Starcloser Bobby Jenks, who allowed a run but still managed torecord his 23rd save.

Buehrle received all the offensive support he needed in thefourth inning, when the White Sox plated three runs againstTwins starter Boof Bonser (5-6).

Jerry Owens led off the frame with a bunt single, stole secondand advanced to third on Tadahito Iguchi's single. After Owensscored on Jim Thome's RBI groundout, Konerko belted Bonser's 0-2offering over the left field wall to make it 3-0.

It was the team-leading 17th home run for Konerko, who isbatting .360 (18-for-50) with five blasts in his last 14 games.Owens finished with two hits while Rob Mackowiak also singledfor Chicago, which improved to 3-4 on its eight-game homestand.

Bonser pitched effectively, surrendering three runs and fourhits over seven innings. The righthander walked two and struckout four but remained winless in his last five starts.

"(Bonser) located his fastball, made his pitches and gave us achance," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He made onemistake and left a ball up on the two-run homer to Konerko."

Minnesota finally got on the board in the ninth, when MichaelCuddyer drew a one-out walk from Jenks and advanced to third onJustin Morneau's single. Torii Hunter lofted a sacrifice fly toplate Cuddyer and draw the Twins within 3-1, but Jason Kubelgrounded out to end the contest.