Guillen high on Hudson

The trading deadline hits at 3 p.m. on Saturday, which means rookie Daniel Hudson's start in Sunday's road-trip finale at Oakland should be a crucial audition for the White Sox's potential trading partners.

Unless, of course, manager Ozzie Guillen's input outweighs everyone else's within the organization.

"I pray, I swear to God, I want this kid to be here and be the guy," Guillen told reporters prior to the Sox' 10-2 loss at Oakland on Saturday.

"Because he's going to cost us less money, we're going to have somebody for the future, we've got somebody we can count on later. I'll do anything for this kid."

Hudson, 23, delivered the best performance of his brief career in his last time on the mound. He allowed just 1 run and struck out six over 62/3 innings in a win at Seattle.

Bullpen saved: Relievers Tony Pena and Erick Threets combined to throw 52/3 innings Saturday in the wake of Freddy Garcia's ineffective start.

Between their long-man efforts and Mark Buehrle's complete game Friday, the White Sox's big guns in the bullpen have enjoyed much-needed rest.

J.J. Putz hasn't pitched since Tuesday and Matt Thornton hasn't thrown since Monday.

Thornton hadn't received so much time off since early June, when Ozzie Guillen gave him six days' rest after an aberrant 5-run, 1-inning effort against Detroit.

Guillen doesn't want to wear out Thornton for the stretch run, which is why Guillen hopes the hard-throwing Threets proves to be solid.

The lefty threw 2 scoreless innings Saturday, which gives the long-time minor-leaguer 71/3 scoreless innings since joining the club three weeks ago.

"The only thing I was worried, concerned, was about Matt Thornton," Guillen said. "Then I saw Threets throw the ball (Wednesday) in Seattle. Pitched 2 innings very well. Threw strikes.

"I will put him in situations to see if we can count on him."

Odd Sox: Saturday's 10-2 decision marked the White sox' widest loss margin since a 10-1 defeat against Cleveland on June 4.

For the third time this year, Sox pitchers allowed a season-worst 22 baserunners (13 hits, 9 walks).