For Jones, it's a relief to finally get No. 400

Andruw Jones finally is in the 400 home run club.

The White Sox' 33-year-old outfielder looked like he'd reach the milestone last month after hitting No. 398 in a June 3 win over the Rangers.

But Jones had to wait more than a month before getting 399, and Sunday he joined Frank Thomas as the only player to hit No. 400 in a White Sox uniform.

In the third inning, Jones hit a 1-2 pitch from Kansas City starter Anthony Lerew into the Sox' bullpen.

"I was sitting there for a long time, so it's good to get it over with and get the team going on a good break," Jones said. "And now we're in first place, everything paid off pretty nicely today.

"Players always want to get it over with. I've been on 398 for a month, two months, so it's nice to get it over with and move on."

With 400 career home runs, Jones moved past Al Kaline and Andres Galarraga into sole possession of 46th place on the all-time list.

"We need Andruw to start swinging the bat better because we are going to face a few lefties coming up," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "We need him to join the group of guys swinging the bat well.

"He came up big this weekend. He's swinging the bat very well, and that's the reason he's still in the lineup. Good at-bats. We need desperately that from him."

Playing hurt: Carlos Quentin hurt his left knee making a diving catch in right field in last Monday's 9-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.

After sitting out three games, Quentin has played the last three as the White Sox' designated hitter. He has 4 home runs and 8 RBI in his last two games.

"I banged up my knee pretty good," Quentin said. "It was hurting quite a bit, but it's gotten better gradually. I've been fortunate they've given me the DH role for right now to be out there and still be able to swing.

Quentin has been packed in ice after games, so the all-star break is coming at a good time.

"Mostly when I'm running I feel it (knee), basically all the time when I'm running," he said. "But it's gotten better gradually, and I'll look for it to get better over the all-star break and look to bounce back."

Seeing stars: Relief pitcher Matt Thornton is looking forward to appearing in his first All-Star Game on Tuesday night.

"I don't know what to expect," Thornton said. "I'm just going to go out and be open-minded and enjoy it."

Thornton said he will enjoy the experience even more now that first baseman Paul Konerko was added to the American League roster Saturday to replace the injured Justin Morneau.

"It's great," Thornton said. "Paul's one of the most deserving guys to be there. It's always tough to win at a position like his. He's having a career year, one of the best I've ever seen."

Looking ahead: Here's how the White Sox and Twins starters match up when the second half of the season opens Thursday at Target Field:

Thursday: John Danks (8-7, 3.29 ERA) vs. Kevin Slowey (8-5, 4.64) at 7:10 p.m.

Friday: Gavin Floyd (5-7, 4.20) vs. Francisco Liriano (6-7, 3.86) at 7:10 p.m.

Saturday: Mark Buehrle (8-7, 4.24) vs. Carl Pavano (10-6, 3.58) at 6:10 p.m.

Sunday: Freddy Garcia (9-3, 4.36) vs. Nick Blackburn (7-7, 6.40) at 1:10 p.m.