Konerko set to play final three Sox games

Paul Konerko was on the receiving end of what figures to be multiple standing ovations before the White Sox played the Royals on Thursday night at U.S. Cellular Field.

Then, after bringing out the lineup card to home plate, the Sox' longtime captain went back to the dugout and watched the game.

Retiring after Sunday afternoon's game against Kansas City, Konerko still has some soreness in his left hand, which he fractured in early September. The injury sidelined him for 15 games, but Konerko is gearing up to play Friday, Saturday and Sunday before calling it quits.

“The hand's good,” he said. “I can still feel it in there. Little sore today because I played those two nights (Monday and Tuesday) in Detroit and took a lot of swings. I think the plan is be ready tonight off the bench and then take the next three days. Go get 'em.”

Konerko is likely to play first base all three games, especially on Sunday.

It's already been an emotional season, and this weekend is really going to challenge Konerko's tear ducts.

“I don't know what to expect the ultimate feelings to be like,” he said. “There's a lot going on. I've got a lot of people coming in from out of town. You have the fans that are here, your teammates. You've got some games you are going to play and want to do well in because … why not?

“There are a lot of little pieces to this, you know. I'm just trying to take it as it comes. I'm not trying to get ahead of myself. You know it's going to come. A week ago, people talked to me about it. Two weeks, three weeks. It keeps kind of getting closer and closer and just kind of blowing in the wind and I'm going along with it and trying to have fun with it.”

Royals on verge:

Kansas City bounced back from a 3-1 deficit Thursday night at U.S. Cellular Field and beat the White Sox 6-3.

With a win Friday night, or a Seattle loss, the Royals will clinch their first playoff berth since 1985.

It was another tough outing for Sox left-hander Jose Quintana. In his final start of the season, Quintana allowed 5 runs on 11 hits in 7⅓ innings.

Even though he ranks 14th in the American League with a 3.32 ERA, Quintana finished the season with a 9-11 record.

“It's disappointing because Q grinds and gives us a chance to win,” manager Robin Ventura said. “We don't pull it out for him all the time. He's a strong kid, strong minded, and we're lucky to have him. I know he gets frustrated but he understands it's a team game and there will be a time when we get him a lot of runs.”

Quintana does finish the season with 200⅓ innings.

“I'm happy with that,” he said. “I tried in the last season to have good preparation and to be healthy for all of the season. I made all of my starts and I was happy with that.”

Right fielder Avisail Garcia left the game in the third inning with a stiff lower back and is not likely to play Friday.