Sox beat Angels on Rios' RBI single in 9th
Be it with the White Sox or another major-league team, Freddy Garcia wants to continue pitching next season and beyond.
Making his first start since Sept. 7, when he pitched just 2 innings before leaving with lower back pain, Garcia delivered 6 strong innings Friday night at Angel Stadium.
After losing eight in a row and being eliminated from the playoffs in the process, the White Sox won their second straight with a 2-1 decision at Angel Stadium.
Garcia allowed just 1 run, which came in the fourth inning. Howie Kendrick led off with a triple, Bobby Abreu walked and Torii Hunter scored Kendrick with a single.
That was the extent of the damage, as Garcia retired Hideki Matsui on a deep drive to right field that Mark Teahen tracked down before Hank Conger grounded into a double play.
Paul Konerko got the run right back, leading off the fifth inning with a home run (No. 38) against Los Angeles starter Joel Pinero. Alex Rios' RBI single in the ninth was the difference.
Garcia would prefer returning with the White Sox, and manager Ozzie Guillen feels the same way.
Guillen made headlines again before Wednesday night's game at Oakland when he said he'd like a contract extension. His current deal runs through next season with an option for 2012.
Before the series opener against the Angels, Guillen said he never made any demands.
"It's a funny thing because I never asked for an extension,'' Guillen told reporters. "You guys (media) asked me if I want one. Well, everyone does. Everybody. Even you, you ... everybody. The funny thing about it is people sound as if I asked for an extension. I never did, because I have one. I have a contract."
Since the 2012 option automatically kicks in if the White Sox win the AL Central next season, Guillen can't help wondering if he has to finish in first place to keep his job.
That's why he would like to discuss his future with general manager Kenny Williams and chairman Jerry Reinsdorf as soon as possible.
"If people want to think I want to know about losing my job, they're wrong," Guillen said. "I don't worry about losing any job. Do I want to lose it? No. I make it clear every day. This is the team I want to be with the rest of my life.
"Most of the stuff is about my family. Most of the stuff is about what we're up to, what's our plan? I've got a budget; I've got a family to take care of. I plan to stay in Chicago in the winter. No matter what, I will stay in Chicago. And that's why I want to make sure when we start making plans for our family."
<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>White Sox 2, Angels 1</b></p>
<p class="factboxtext12col">He's back: Freddy Garcia made his first start for the Sox since Sept. 7, allowing 1 run in 6 innings. In his last 7 starts against the Angels, Garcia is 5-0 with a 1.27 ERA.</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col">Mr. Clutch: Alex Rios' decided the outcome with an RBI single in the ninth inning.</p>
<p class="factboxtext12col">Going deep: As he shoots for the third 40-home run season of his career, Paul Konerko hit his 38th in the fifth inning.</p>