For openers, White Sox had everything working

If the White Sox can figure out a way to duplicate their all-around play from Monday afternoon's 6-0 win over Cleveland in the season opener, put them down for a perfect 162-0 this season.

OK, that's a bit over the top. Make it 160-2.

"It was how you draw it up," Paul Konerko said after the Sox played a near flawless game in near perfect weather before a frenzied capacity crowd at U.S. Cellular Field. "I mean every facet of the game showed up and did well. It's never too early to get into good habits."

Making his franchise record eighth opening-day start for the White Sox, Mark Buehrle was the featured attraction.

And you can almost forget about the 31-year-old lefty stymying Cleveland Indians hitters over 7 innings while allowing just 3 hits.

"Typical Buehrle," catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. "Any pitch at any time, mixing it up, throwing the ball in, throwing the ball out, throwing changeups, cutters, curveballs, he threw it all and his ball was sinking today. When his ball is sinking, he's as tough as anybody."

Buehrle has proven that over a decade, and he also flashed another fearsome facet of his game in the fifth inning.

With one out, catcher Lou Marson lined a ball up the middle and Buehrle made his typical goalie kick.

"I'm going to hurt myself one of these years doing it," said Buehrle, who won his first Gold Glove last season. "But I have the tendency when the ball comes my way to throw any body part in the way just to knock it down."

This time, Buehrle deflected Marson's shot toward first base and he chased it down as the Cleveland catcher chugged toward the bag.

With his back to Konerko a tumbling Buehrle, using his glove, literally hiked it toward Konerko, who caught it barehanded for the out a half-step ahead of Marson.

"It's not something you practice," Konerko said. "You probably won't see it again for years, maybe."

Konerko gave Buehrle all the offensive support he'd need in the first inning. After Carlos Quentin doubled with two outs, Konerko hit a 2-run homer off Indians starter Jake Westbrook on the first pitch he saw this season.

"I try to see a few pitches, but I want to be aggressive with guys on base," Konerko said. "You don't want to let any good pitches go that are good to hit because that's your job to drive them in.''

Everybody on the Sox did their job, from the pitchers (Buehrle, J.J. Putz and Matt Thornton combined for first shutout on opening day since 2005) to the hitters (Alex Rios also homered and Gordon Beckham was 2-for-4) to the defense (in addition to Buehrle, Rios had a highlight catch in center to end the game.

"To me, this is one game," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "To be honest, it's nice to have an opening-day win. A lot of fans and people, great weather, it builds confidence. I just think you feel a little bit better. You don't have pressure about when are we going to win? But in the end of the day, it's only one win."

Yes it was, but it's going to be remembered for quite some time.

"It was great," Rios said. "All around it was great. Buehrle threw a great game. We did what we were supposed to do on the bases. We took advantage of balls on the ground, so it was a nice start."