Quentin looks like an all-star
Manager Ozzie Guillen said before Sunday's game that left fielder Carlos Quentin's statistics were worthy of all-star consideration.
"He should be in the All-Star Game, but you don't know how they're going to pick," Guillen said. "I was involved once (as manager in 2006) and that was the biggest headache ever because you have so many players in the outfield and you have so many people."
Quentin entered Sunday's game tied for the American League lead in home runs (12) and was second in RBI (40).
He then launched his 13th and 14th home runs, against 2007 American League ERA leader John Lackey, including a game-winning solo shot to lead off the ninth.
Quentin has been particularly effective in pressure situations all year. With runners in scoring position, the rookie is hitting .385 (15-for-39) with 4 home runs and 31 RBI. Taking it a step further, he is hitting .467 (7-for-15) with runners in scoring position and two outs.
Guillen thinks Quentin should have company when Boston manager Terry Francona selects the roster for the 79th All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium on July 15.
"I think we have a lot of guys having a good year," Guillen said. "(Reliever Scott) Linebrink's having a good year, Bobby (Jenks) is having a good year, A.J. (Pierzynski) is having a good year.
"But Carlos is the best player we have right now."
Thumbing it to Cleveland: Paul Konerko was held out of the lineup Sunday for the third straight game, but he likely will play today or Tuesday in Cleveland.
Konerko received a cortisone injection in his right thumb Friday. He has been bothered by soreness since spring training. The first baseman was hitting 11-for-62 in his last 17 games (.177), which dropped his average to .212 with 5 home runs and 23 RBI.
"I talked to him today," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "There's still a little feeling there. He said it feels a lot better. He wants to come back (today), but I'd rather have him test it a little bit in batting practice. We didn't take batting practice (Sunday).
"He will be back in Cleveland. I don't know if it will be the first day or the second game."
Ozzie's kind of town: Asked if he has had enough of traveling to Cleveland, manager Ozzie Guillen said, "I just don't like to go to the city. I really don't."
Guillen clarified, however, saying it had little to do with Cleveland itself and more to do with leaving Chicago.
"Every time we've got a road trip and we leave Chicago it's bad," he said. "This is the best city in baseball. Every time we leave Midway Airport we say, 'Where are we going?' No matter where we're going it sounds like it is real boring."
That's quality: Jose Contreras continued the trend of quality starts turned in by White Sox pitchers. His 8-inning, 10-strikeout, 3-hit effort against the Angels was the team's 32nd quality start. They entered Sunday's game tied for most quality starts in the majors.