Bonser continues to baffle Sox
MINNEAPOLIS -- The White Sox' offense is still looking to get on a top-to-bottom roll this season.
Through the first month, the Sox have found ways to get it done despite having the lowest batting average in the American League.
They were looking for more of the same at the Metrodome on Tuesday night when Twins starter Boof Bonser showed early he was going to be difficult to hit.
Didn't happen.
While Bonser has been mediocre at best against the rest of the league, the big right-hander has stepped it up against the White Sox during his brief career.
That was the case again in Minnesota's 3-1 win.
"He threw his breaking ball well and he kept his heater down in the (strike) zone,'' Jim Thome said after Bonser pitched 7 innings and allowed 1 run on 6 hits.
Bonser threw a similar game at the Metrodome last season while beating the White Sox 9-2.
"He's pitched pretty well in the past against us,'' Thome said. "He's a guy you want to break his rhythm and we just couldn't do it. And we didn't have any rhythm.''
That's been the case for most of the season. The Sox have gotten away with the offensive lapses so far, but it's doubtful they can push their luck much deeper into the season.
"Our offense continues to struggle,'' manager Ozzie Guillen said after the White Sox' team average dipped to .241. "A couple of balls, we hit pretty good. But we didn't have that many people on base. We got 7 hits, but they were kind of spread out.''
Thome almost had the biggest hit out of the night, and it came in the eighth inning after Bonser was out of the game.
Trailing 3-1, Nick Swisher led off the eighth with a single against Twins reliever Pat Neshek. After Orlando Cabrera struck out on three pitches, Thome came up and left-handed specialist Denny Reyes replaced Neshek.
Thome drove a pitch off Reyes to deep left field, but Delmon Young tracked down the drive and made the catch at the fence. Young then threw to first base and doubled up Swisher, who through the ball was over the outfielder's head.
"I thought it might have a chance,'' Thome said. "(Young) just made a nice play. It was unfortunate.''
It was also an unfortunate loss for Sox starter Gavin Floyd, who pitched 6 innings and allowed 3 runs on 5 hits while losing for the first time this season.
Floyd matched Bonser until the fourth inning, when Jason Kubel hit a 2-run homer and Mike Lamb's sacrifice fly scored Young.
"I didn't really feel that great out there,'' Floyd said. "I just kept battling. I don't think I attacked hitters like I usually do. I fell behind a lot.''
The White Sox' offense followed suit, and they also couldn't attack their way out.
"We're playing good baseball, but our offense is not the one we think we should have,'' Guillen said. "Look at the averages; it's not the one that's going to be there at the end of the season.''
Twins 3, White Sox 1
At the plate: Orlando Cabrera (2-for-4) broke an 0-for-20 slump with a first-inning single. Joe Crede's solo home run in the seventh inning accounted for the lone run. After missing four games with a groin strain, Jermaine Dye returned and went 0-for-4 with 2 strikeouts.
On the mound: Starter Gavin Floyd pitched 6 innings and allowed 3 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. Boone Logan pitched 1½ scoreless innings.
-- Scot Gregor