Swisher's not hitting but he's not pouting, either

Nick Swisher is still acting sort of goofy, and that's exactly what White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen wants to see.

"It's easy to talk and chirp and be the cheerleader of the guys and keep your teammates loose when you're playing well,'' Guillen said. "It's hard, and you have to stay the same way when we are not playing well. (Swisher) has been doing the same stuff. I don't see any difference."

There's been quite a difference in Swisher's overall game the past two weeks. At the beginning of the season, the outfielder/first baseman was consistently getting on base out of the leadoff spot, mainly via the walk.

But after going 0-for-4 with 3 strikeouts Thursday -- including a key swing and miss with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth inning -- Swisher's average has dropped to .200 and his defensive play in center field has also waned.

Swisher has been batting sixth or seventh since Monday. Guillen said the switch-hitter is not likely to return to the top of the order anytime soon.

The White Sox' entire offense has been in a rut for well over a week, but Swisher is looking long term.

"It's amazing, because it seems like there's such an emphasis on the offense right now," Swisher said. "We've still got (128) games to play. I promise you this: when all the leaves fall, everything will be taken care of. And everything will be where it needs to be."

Do tell: Veteran reliever Octavio Dotel has gotten off to a slow start in his first season with the White Sox, but the right-hander was brilliant against the Twins on Thursday.

Dotel replaced starter John Danks in the sixth and pitched 2 scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit while striking out five.

"I feel real good,'' Dotel said. "If I pitch a lot, I get better. Pitching a lot and getting the opportunity to get in the game, it makes me hit my spots."

Dotel also pitched 1½ scoreless innings against the Twins on Tuesday, and he had 2 strikeouts.

"I think he put on a show today," manager Ozzie Guillen said after Thursday's win. "We expect that from him, and hopefully he continues to do it.''

Running wild: With Paul Konerko at the plate in the sixth inning, Carlos Quentin advanced to third base and Jim Thome to second on a strange double steal.

Konerko appeared to take ball four from Minnesota reliever Matt Guerrier, but home-plate umpire Doug Eddings was late making the call, which was a strike.

Guerrier proceeded to tag Quentin and Thome, but they were both ruled safe. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire came out to argue and was ejected.

"I've been seeing a lot of crazy stuff," said Ozzie Guillen. "I've never seen that one. I got confused, too. I think it was kind of funny, because I see Guerrier touching everybody. Basically, it was nobody's fault."

Scouting report

White Sox vs. Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field

TV: Comcast SportsNet today and Sunday; Channel 9 Saturday

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Pitching matchups: The Sox' Jose Contreras (2-3) vs. Carlos Silva (3-1) today at 9:10 p.m.; Javier Vazquez (3-3) vs. Jarrod Washburn (2-4) Saturday at 9:10 p.m.; Gavin Floyd (3-1) vs. Miguel Batista (2-4) Sunday at 3:10 p.m.

At a glance: After winning two out of three against the Twins at U.S. Cellular Field, the White Sox head back on the road. They were 0-6 at Minnesota and Toronto on last week's trip. The Sox were 0-5 at Seattle last season. Heading into Thursday night's game against the Rangers, the Mariners had lost 10 of 12 while dropping into the AL West cellar. In his last start (Sunday vs. the Yankees), Silva was rocked for 8 runs on 11 hits in 3 innings.

Next: Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium, Monday-Thursday

-- Scot Gregor