Sox fare well against NL teams

It's setting up as a déjà vu situation, and that could bode very well for the White Sox.

Last season, the Sox were skittering along at 26-33 when they opened interleague play against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 11.

“I remember we went over there and scored a bunch of runs in the first game,” Paul Konerko said of the White Sox' 10-5 win over their North Side rivals in the series opener. “We kind of took off after that.”

The White Sox certainly did, going 25-5 into the all-star break while claiming first place in the AL Central.

They were a major-league best 15-3 against National League teams last season, and 13 of the wins came during their record-tying surge.

Tonight, the Sox open interleague play with the first of three games against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“In theory, it sets up better for a National League team because it's always easier to add a hitter in than to take a hitter out,” Konerko said. “But we've seemed to play well in interleague play over the last couple years and I think it's good that we're starting the first three games of it at home.

“All we can hope is that it goes as well as last year because last year is what got us back into the race.”

How does manager Ozzie Guillen feel about playing NL teams?

“Why don't we play only three games against the Cubs every year?” he said.

Like Konerko, Guillen realizes the White Sox salvaged last season by playing so well against the Senior Circuit. But that is in the past.

“Over the years we've played pretty good,” Guillen said, referring to the Sox' all-time 143-104 interleague record. “But it doesn't mean anything. We play different ballclubs, different cities.”

Beckham benched:With his batting average down to .201 during a 2-for-22 slump, second baseman Gordon Beckham took a seat on the bench Thursday night.#8220;The only thing I worry about with Gordon, he strikes out a lot,#8221; manager Ozzie Guillen said. #8220;He went through a lot of tough times last year and overcame it, came back and was the player we thought he was going to be. But right now, he's striking out quite a few times and that worries me.#8221;Beckham has struck out 36 times in 143 at-bats.Feeling good:A day after pitching a complete-game shutout, Jake Peavy said he was feeling nothing more than typical soreness.#8220;All is normal,#8221; Peavy said Thursday after throwing 111 pitches against the Indians. #8220;I've been here since 1 o'clock, got all my work in with the trainers and strength and conditioning coach. Everything is normal, not much to report.#8221;Hail Garland, Uribe:Before tonight's game against the Dodgers, there will be a video tribute for Jon Garland and Juan Uribe.They are both playing for Los Angeles, but Garland and Uribe were key contributors on the White Sox' 2005 World Series championship team.#8220;I think they deserve that,#8221; Ozzie Guillen said. #8220;I think those two guys mean a lot for this city, mean a lot for this ballclub, myself, my coaching staff, for the fans.#8221;