Guillen shakes things up by batting Wise leadoff

MINNEAPOLIS - When he was bouncing around between the Toronto Blue Jays, the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds and minor leagues, Dewayne Wise usually settled in at the leadoff spot.

"When I was coming up, I always hit leadoff," Wise said. "To be honest, I prefer hitting first or second."

Wise has done most of his hitting at the bottom of the White Sox' lineup this season, but the journeyman left fielder was moved to the top spot for Wednesday's important game against the Twins.

It was only the second time Wise batted first for the Sox. Orlando Cabrera, the White Sox' regular leadoff man for most of the season, hit No. 2 against Minnesota.

"Well, I try to use Cabrera more the way he is, and I try to get something going early in the game," said manager Ozzie Guillen. "Hopefully, (Wise) can get on base for the guys. I'm trying to get something going early and hopefully that happens."

Wise drew a walk off Twins starter Nick Blackburn to open the game, but Cabrera swung at the first pitch and grounded into a double play.

In the second inning, Wise came up again with the bases loaded and struck out. He also grounded out to second base to end the game with Nick Swisher on first base.

It was a typical Metrodome kind of start for the Sox, but Wise said he isn't feeling any pressure.

"Not at all," Wise said. "They (Twins) play good here, but there's no pressure at all. No matter if I'm batting leadoff or wherever, I just go up there and try to get a good pitch to hit. I think Ozzie decided to switch it up because he wants more speed at the top, but you can't use your speed unless you're getting on base."

Wise has been getting on base with regularity since Carlos Quentin fractured his right wrist Sept. 1. His ability to put the ball in play and make things happen has elevated Wise while the slumping Nick Swisher has been spending most of his time on the bench.

"I just try to help out any way I can," said Wise, who signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox in early March. "I check the lineup every day and if I'm not playing, I just try to stay ready."