Konerko sprains knee as Jays sweep Sox

Paul Konerko went down Tuesday night, but he's not out for the season.

The White Sox can only hope they hold the same fate.

It's been a frustrating stretch for the Sox, who have been losing games and players in furious fashion.

The White Sox lost both ends of a day-night doubleheader to the Blue Jays at U.S. Cellular Field - 3-1 and 8-2.

Coupled with the Twins' win over the Royals, the Sox' lead in the AL Central is down to 1 game.

"It wasn't a good day for any of us," said Nick Swisher, who was a combined 0-for-6 with 3 strikeouts.

Actually, it was better than initially expected for Konerko, who looked like he suffered a serious injury to his right knee during Game 2.

In the fifth inning, Konerko took a relay throw from right fielder Jermaine Dye after the Jays' Alex Rios singled.

While throwing to second base, Konerko slipped and felt his right knee pop. The Sox' captain had to be helped off the field by conditioning coaches Allen Thomas and Dale Torborg, but X-rays were negative and Konerko was diagnosed with a mild sprain of the MCL in his knee.

"I felt a couple little pops and it hurt for sure at first," Konerko said. "I was more scared. I never felt my knee go to a place like that. It was a couple of clicks probably farther than it should go.

"It's going to be sore, but it's just a matter of working it out. As soon as I can go, I'll go. Maybe a couple of days or more."

Last week, the Sox lost MVP candidate Carlos Quentin (fractured right wrist) and Joe Crede (back), and they're also playing without starting pitcher Jose Contreras (torn Achilles' tendon).

"Not a good day," catcher Toby Hall said. "We've just got to bounce back and get on a roll. We've got a great team and a great bench."

It's going to be put to the test during the heat of the pennant race.

"We have to fight like a cat, paws up," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "If we're going to fail, fail like a man. Sometimes you look around and say, 'What's going on? What's going to happen next?' All of a sudden, every day somebody goes down.

"You can't stop the season. We have to move on and we have to keep fighting."

The Sox' offense has been particularly vulnerable lately, scoring just 5 runs in the last three games, all losses.

In the 2 losses to Toronto on Tuesday, the White Sox were a combined 1-for-21 with runners in scoring position.

"I know they (Jays) pitch well, but that's when you have to execute," Guillen said. "If we have to wait for those guys to hit home runs, we're going to be in big trouble."

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