It's insult and injury as Twins complete sweep

When the White Sox hit the road last week, they were feeling pretty good about themselves.

Mark Buehrle's perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays pulled the Sox into a first-place tie with the Detroit Tigers and seemingly lit a fire under a team that was going places.

But after falling to the Twins 3-2 at the Metrodome Wednesday night, the White Sox limped back to the South Side in third place in the AL Central.

The Sox lost 3 of 4 at Detroit and 3 in a row at Minnesota. Now, they get 4 games against the Yankees, baseball's hottest team.

The White Sox (51-51) have lost 9 of their last 10 and 14 of 16 at the Metrodome, which mercifully is being vacated by the Twins at the end of the season.

"I think it's a typical week for the White Sox coming to Minnesota," manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters. "Spend a nice day here and get your butt kicked."

Guillen tried to find some positives from the trip.

"We didn't play that bad," he said. "We just couldn't finish it up, and they (Twins) always play good against us here."

The Sox return home with some worrisome bumps and bruises.

Designated hitter Jim Thome missed the Minnesota series with back stiffness, and Carlos Quentin seemed to be favoring his sore left foot again as he rounded the bases after hitting a solo home run in fifth inning.

Alexei Ramirez left the game in the seventh following an awkward slide into second base.

Ramirez reportedly has a sprained right ankle and will have X-rays today.

Guillen said Ramirez won't play against the Yankees tonight, but the injury does not appear to be overly serious.

Wednesday's game was tied at 2 before Alexi Casilla, who entered the game with a .161 average, singled off Sox starter Jose Contreras (4-10) with two outs in the sixth inning to score Joe Crede.

The White Sox' defense and bullpen was spotty throughout the trip, but the offense was the biggest problem.

Paul Konerko was 2-for-25 at Detroit and Minnesota, Jermaine Dye was 4-for-24, Quentin was 3-for-21 and Scott Podsednik was 5-for-25.

After being acquired from the Red Sox Tuesday in a trade for Brian Anderson, Mark Kotsay played first base and was 0-for-4.

With runners on second and third with two outs in the ninth inning, Kotsay hit a rocket line drive that was caught by right fielder Michael Cuddyer.

Scot Gregor's game tracker

Twins 3, White Sox 2

Wednesday's grade: F. How painful is it watching the Sox try to play in the Metrodome, where they've lost 9 of their last 10 and 14 of their last 16?

Ramirez injured: Shortstop Alexei Ramirez had to leave the game in the seventh inning after sliding awkwardly into second base. Ramirez reportedly has a sprained right ankle and will have X-rays today.

Quentin comes through: Carlos Quentin hit a home run in the fifth inning, his first since April 29. It also ended an 0-for-16 slump.

Scouting report

White Sox vs. New York Yankees at U.S. Cellular Field

TV: Comcast SportsNet today; Channel 9 Friday and Sunday; FOX Saturday

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Pitching matchups: The Sox' Gavin Floyd (8-6) vs. Andy Pettitte (8-6) today at 7:11 p.m.; Clayton Richard (4-3) vs. Sergio Mitre (1-0) Friday at 7:11 p.m.; John Danks (8-7) vs. A.J. Burnett (10-4) Saturday at 3:05 p.m.; Mark Buehrle (11-4) vs. CC Sabathia (10-6) Sunday at 1:05 p.m.

At a glance: After a rough road trip to Detroit and Minnesota, the White Sox return home to face the hottest team in baseball. The Yankees (62-39) are 11-2 since the all-star break and have the best record in the AL. The Sox were 2-5 vs. New York last season. Paul Konerko has a lifetime .311 average against the Yankees with 16 HR and 47 RBI in 72 games.

Next: Los Angeles Angels, Tuesday-Thursday at U.S. Cellular Field

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