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White Sox bullpen hits new low in loss to Twins

There's really not much to say following a game like the White Sox played Sunday, but there was plenty to talk about.

That's why general manager Rick Hahn made his way to manager Robin Ventura's office following the embarrassing 16-3 loss to the Twins at U.S. Cellular Field.

Let's put it this way - two rain delays totaling 45 minutes were the highlight.

The lowlight was yet another poor showing by the bullpen, and this one matched a franchise record.

After White Sox starter Jose Quintana limited Minnesota to 1 run in 5 innings, relievers Javy Guerra, Taylor Thompson, Ronald Belisario, Eric Surkamp and Andre Rienzo combined to give up 15 runs on 18 hits and 5 walks.

The 15 runs allowed by the bullpen matched a franchise record established in 1923 and 1936. The Twins scored 9 runs in the eighth inning.

"I don't know what to say," Ronald Belisario said after allowing 4 runs on 4 hits without retiring a batter. "They got us. I have nothing to say."

Ventura has been dealing with a patchwork bullpen all season, and Sunday's futility simply dropped the unit to a new low.

"They're the ones that are out there, so we're going to have to come back in with these guys and find the confidence and the stuff to be able to do it," Ventura said. "We have to be able to execute. They're the guys in there, so we're going to have to make it work somehow, just make it better."

That's much easier said than done, especially when you consider the Sox' bullpen has allowed 28 earned runs on 39 hits in 20 innings over the last seven games.

Taylor Thompson, who allowed 3 runs on 1 hit and 3 walks, was optioned back to Class AAA Charlotte after the game, and the Sox will make a corresponding move Monday.

But don't expect the bullpen to drastically improve, although injured reliever Zach Putnam (shoulder) is eligible to come off the disabled list Friday and Matt Lindstrom (ankle) is on a rehab assignment with Charlotte.

"You've got to make it to that point where you can get them back and feel pretty good about it," Ventura said.

Garcia dinged:

After going 5-for-9 in his first two rehab games with Class AAA Charlotte, White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia had a forgettable game Sunday.

Striking out his first time up, Garcia was hit on the left triceps by a pitch from Gwinnett starter Kanekoa Texeira during his second at-bat and had to make an early exit.

Konerko gets call:

The White Sox have been using a near straight platoon of Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko this season, with Dunn playing against right-handed starters and Konerko playing against left-handers.

That changed Sunday, when Konerko was in the lineup against Twins righty Kyle Gibson.

"I think Dunner, just the way he's swinging, just give him a break from being in there," manager Robin Ventura said. "Paulie's swinging it pretty good and you can get (Jose) Abreu off the field, off his feet and let him DH for a day. Just a different look."

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