White Sox streak to the finish line

They've been officially eliminated from postseason play for over a week, but the White Sox are not playing out the string.

Powered by Paul Konerko (grand slam) and Dayan Viciedo (2-run homer), the White Sox beat the Red Sox 8-2 Thursday night at U.S. Cellular Field, their seventh win in eight games.

With Wednesday's 5-2 victory over Boston, the White Sox clinched second place in the AL Central. Not bad, but not nearly good enough.

"One thing about this club, they never give up," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "They played hard every day of the season. They played bad and played very good, but they never gave up.

"In the meanwhile, it was a bad season. If I don't finish first, it's a bad season for me. A lot of people would be satisfied with second place, or over .500. Jerry Reinsdorf and Kenny Williams don't pay me to be in second place. They don't pay me to be a .500 team. They pay me to win."

Looking ahead: Headed for free agency, Paul Konerko said he wants to sign with a team that has a chance to win in 2011.

Do the White Sox fall into that category?

"Strictly speaking, from the talent and the guys, I believe it's a team that can fight and win," Konerko said. "I do think that things need to get better. The Twins are a good team, a great team, and more than that they go about it the right way. You have to go out and catch them. They're not going to come back to you.

"With the talent and the people here, we can do that if we tidy up some things and get a little better with some things and move their way, move toward them. From the business standpoint, budgeting and money, that's a question for them (White Sox), if they can do it with the people they have, do it with the people they want to bring back, and anybody else they want to bring in. I have no idea what their numbers are."

Jenks update: After throwing a bullpen session Wednesday, Bobby Jenks (strained ulnar nerve) should be able to pitch against the Indians this weekend. Jenks hasn't appeared in a game since Sept. 4, when he saved both games of a doubleheader at Boston.

"I think he's ready," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "We're going to try and plug him in and see how he does. I owe the favor to the players. A lot of players say, 'You're a bad guy. You do this; you do that.' But they forget how many favors we do to them. We help them.

"I want to see (Jenks) finish and we can see him healthy and other people can, if he's not here (next season). I think he will be here, but just to see him."