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Oakland pounds Buehrle, White Sox 7-2

The White Sox finally figured out a way to stick it to the rival Twins - they made them wait.

Minnesota rallied to beat the Indians on Tuesday night and was on the verge of winning the American League Central for the sixth time in nine years under manager Ron Gardenhire.

All the Sox had to do to wrap it up for the Twins was lose at Oakland, and they did exactly that, dropping a 7-2 decision.

Considering he managed Minnesota without all-star closer Joe Nathan (elbow) for the entire season and had to play without all-star first baseman Justin Morneau (concussion) for the past three months, Gardenhire figures to make a strong run at winning AL manager of the year.

Guillen, on the other hand, is just trying to keep the reeling White Sox above .500.

Signed through next season with an option for 2012 that automatically kicks in if the Sox win the division next year, Guillen spoke to reporters about his future before Tuesday night's game against the Athletics.

"I will be back here next year," Guillen said. "I don't know how much money I make next year, but they're not going to pay me just to leave. I want to know what my future is with the ballclub. If my future is with the ballclub until next year, then we'll see."

It's been a frustrating season for Guillen, and he's had to put out several fires sparked by his son Oney's negative tweets toward the White Sox and general manager Kenny Williams.

On Aug. 25, Guillen told the Daily Herald that leaving the Sox is "something I've been thinking about. I'm thinking, 'Is this thing going to work out or not?' "

Williams' relationship with his manager has been noticeably strained this season, but the GM told the Daily Herald he wants to continue working with Guillen.

"We all have an expiration date on these jobs," Williams said, also on Aug. 25. "Everybody would have to be on the same page, but it would be my preference to try to win another one with the same crew that we have. But in listening to (Guillen's) tone, I think he's got to make that decision."

Guillen on Tuesday said he'd like an extension.

"I don't want to put pressure on anyone," Guillen said. "I don't want to be here every day to win the division for my contract. I don't want to do that. I wish we'd get together and talk about it. No matter, good or bad, we're grown people. I don't know exactly what they want. I know exactly what I want. It's up to them."

Chicago White Sox's Mark Buehrle, right, removes his cap after a conversation on the mound with catcher A.J. Pierzynski during the fifth inning against the Oakland Athletics Tuesday. Associated Press

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>White Sox at A's</b></p>

<p class="factboxtext12col">Rough stretch: Starter Mark Buehrle pitched 6 innings and allowed 5 runs on 11 hits. The left-hander has not won since Aug. 19, a span of 6 starts.</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col">More and less: Brent Morel made another dazzling defensive play in the third inning, robbing Oakland's Kevin Kouzmanoff of extra bases with a diving stop and throw to first base. The rookie third baseman made his first major-league error in the fifth inning.</p>

<p class="factboxtext12col">Freddy ready? Sidelined since Sept. 7 with lower back pain, Freddy Garcia reportedly feels good enough to start against the Angels on Friday night.</p>