Jenks, Sox blow three-run, ninth-inning lead
MINNEAPOLIS -- For weeks, manager Ozzie Guillen has been asked if the White Sox need to make any moves before the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline.
Guillen's pat answer has been: "No. Not right now."
Is Sunday's heartbreaking 7-6 loss to the Twins at Target Field going to force Sox general manager Kenny Williams into action?
That remains to be seen, but a source said the White Sox still are trying to pry left-handed power hitter Adam Dunn away from the Washington Nationals.
Earlier reports had Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo asking for either Carlos Quentin or Gordon Beckham in exchange for Dunn. Williams obviously balked at both requests.
But if Rizzo is willing to take rookie third baseman Dayan Viciedo and a minor-leaguer or two, Dunn could be on his way to the White Sox. The Angels and the Yankees also are in the mix for the big first baseman.
Mark Kotsay, the Sox' left-handed designate hitter, had a tough game Sunday, going 0-for-4, popping out on a bunt attempt and leaving three runners on base. Kotsay is batting .231 for the season and has only 19 RBI in 66 games.
Quentin's continued health issues also might force Williams to sweeten the package for Dunn. Quentin was 2-for-3 with 2 RBI Sunday, but the right fielder had to leave the game in the sixth inning when his right hand acted up again.
He said the hand is still sore, and he's day to day.
It wouldn't be fair blaming Kotsay or Quentin for the White Sox' first three-game losing streak since the middle of April.
It would be fair to blame Bobby Jenks.
The Sox' closer entered Sunday's game with a 6-3 lead, and he was trying to covert his 16th straight save opportunity. But Jenks walked the first two hitters he faced - Orlando Hudson and Joe Mauer.
"We set everything up nice, battled back and the bullpen came out, Bobby couldn't do the job," Guillen said. "Bobby walked the wrong people. When you throw a slider or cutter to Hudson having Mauer and the rest of the guys coming up, that's not a very intelligent pitch. Everything started from there."
Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer followed with run-scoring singles to make it 6-5 and Jenks was lifted for Sergio Santos.
"Didn't have it," Jenks said. "My cutter was coming back. My sinker wasn't sinking. The slider was big. I just didn't have my stuff today. The more we can eliminate days like that, the better obviously.
"But it's just frustrating that we had to lose that game. Coming in a big series against these guys and every advantage we have, we need to take them."
Santos walked Jason Repko to load the bases, and Delmon Young's single to right-center field ended the game when Nick Punto scored and Cuddyer came around with the winning run on Alex Rios' throwing error.
Rios double-clutched as Punto headed for home, and his throw bounced off the fence in front of the White Sox' dugout.
"That was a situation where I just have to pick up the ball and make a nice and easy throw home," Rios said. "I just overthrew it. It's not acceptable."
The Sox should have split the four-game series, but they are running first in the AL Central, 11/2 games ahead of the Twins and the Detroit Tigers.
"We have to battle with these teams," Rios said. "When it comes down to the last games, these are the teams that will be in it and we have to beat them."
Scot Gregor's game tracker Twins 7, White Sox 6Jenks blows up: Bobby Jenks didn't retire a batter in the ninth inning, allowing 2 walks and 2 hits while blowing his first save since May 9.Big day for Beckham: Gordon Beckham had a career-high 4 hits and 2 RBI. Beckham has 14 hits in his last 24 at-bats.Putz ties Shingo: J.J. Putz pitched a scoreless eighth inning. The reliever hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 24#8532; innings, tying Shingo Takatsu for the longest scoreless streak in franchise history.False335512White Sox starter Freddy Garcia went 6 innings giving up 11 hits but only 3 runs.Associated PressFalse