White Sox win over Detroit well worth the wait

Mark Teahen spent the past five years in Kansas City and has been sidelined since May 30 with a broken finger.

So when he returned to the White Sox lineup Friday, Teahen was introduced to a new concept - the major-league pennant race. He handled it like a pro, delivering 2 hits, including a 2-run homer, in an 8-4 victory over Detroit at U.S. Cellular Field.

"I guess it feels kind of strange at this point," Teahen said after the game. "But it's fun and this is why you play and I'm happy to get that opportunity. I'm just enjoying it and I'm looking forward to the stretch run."

The second-place White Sox kept pace with Minnesota in the AL Central and have now won 22 of their last 26 home games.

Teahen was acquired from the Royals last November for Chris Getz and Josh Fields. He fractured his right middle finger while fielding a grounder on May 30 at Tampa Bay.

He just returned from a minor-league rehab assignment and noticed right away that August with the White Sox doesn't feel the same as it did in Kansas City.

"It's a huge difference," he said. "This time of year on a team that's out of contention, it can be a real grind. The way it is now, every day is real important and every day you're excited to come to the park. It's completely different."

The other hitting star on Friday was Gordon Beckham, who belted a 3-run homer in the fifth and added a triple off the wall in the seventh. After a slow start to his second season, Beckham is starting to look more like he did as a rookie.

"It's still, I think, a work in progress," Beckham said. "But I'm definitely hitting the ball better and with more authority over the last month, month and a half. I've just got to keep that going throughout the rest of the season and the playoffs."

Teahen played right field Friday, but manager Ozzie Guillen indicated he could also see action at third base or designated hitter. Carlos Quentin took the night off.

"We're rotating him because I think a lot of guys aren't playing well right now," Guillen said. "If you hit, I'll find a place to play you, I guarantee you that. You hit, you'll be in the lineup.

"The problem is, it's not an easy job one day playing right field, the next day you're DH. I'll try to use him the least positions I can, to make sure I don't drive him crazy. In the meantime, if he's hitting he'll be in the lineup."

The White Sox roughed up Detroit starter Jeremy Bonderman in the fifth to break open a scoreless tie. Teahen and Alexei Ramirez singled and were bunted into scoring position by A.J. Pierzynski. After a run scored on Mark Kotsay's short bouncer to the mound, Beckham followed with a rocket home run to make it 4-0.

The Sox kept piling it on. Teahen added a 2-run homer in the sixth. Beckham and Juan Pierre hit the White Sox' first set of back-to-back triples since August 28, 2001, when Chris Singleton and Royce Clayton had the hits. Ramirez added his 12th home run in the eighth.

Mark Buehrle (11-9) gave up 3 runs in 61/3 innings to get the win. Reliever Matt Thornton gave up a home run to Brandon Inge with two outs in the eighth inning, ending his streak of 22 straight appearances without allowing a run.

Closer Bobby Jenks seemed to aggravate his sore back late in the game while trying to avoid a foul ball in the dugout. His status is unknown.

<p class="factboxheadblack">Mike McGraw's game tracker</p>

<p class="News">White Sox 8, Tigers 4</p>

<p class="News"><b>Teahen and Beckham:</b> Back in the Sox lineup for the first time since breaking a finger on May 30, Mark Teahen had a pair of hits, including a 2-run homer. Gordon Beckham drilled a 3-run homer in the fifth to give the Sox a 4-0 lead and added a triple in the seventh.</p>

<p class="News"><b>Calling all closers:</b> Matt Thornton ended a streak of 22 consecutive appearances without giving up a run when Brandon Inge belted a two-out homer in the eighth. With Bobby Jenks bothered again by a sore back, J.J. Putz pitched the ninth, but it was not a save situation.</p>

<p class="News"><b>Delayed inaction:</b> A long rain delay seemed inevitable on this stormy, humid night. The precipitation held off until the top of the seventh inning, but finally resulted in an hour-plus stoppage.</p>

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<li><a href="/story/?id=400958">Jenks in limbo as Guillen plots bullpen's course <span class="date"> [8/13/10]</span></a></li>

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