Problems, yes, but Sox still deserve credit

The White Sox got beat up pretty good for losing games at Cleveland on Sunday and Kansas City Tuesday night.

This space included, problems with Will Ohman and the bullpen, offensive execution, winning division games and questionable smarts running the bases have been poked at and prodded.

So, to be fair, let's not hold back the credit when it's due:

The Sox pulled off a remarkable win at Kansas City on Wednesday.

At first, the improbable rally they mounted against all-star closer Joakim Soria reminded me of the White Sox' 4-2 win over the Twins on Sept. 2, 2009.

It was their final game in the dreaded Metrodome and the Sox were trailing 2-0 in ninth inning and had two outs.

With another al-star closer on the mound — Minnesota's Joe Nathan — Gordon Beckham and Paul Konerko hit back-to-back home runs to tie the game and the White Sox went on to post a 4-2 victory.

“I think we finally figured out how to win here and now it's sad, we have to leave this place,” said a sarcastic Mark Buehrle, who was the Sox' starting pitcher that day.

Buehrle was also on the mound against the Royals Wednesday, but this was an even more shocking win.

The left-hander didn't fare very well, allowing 5 runs on 8 hits in 5 innings.

Combined with some shaky defense from left fielder Lastings Milledge, shortstop Alexei Ramirez, Konerko at first base, Brent Morel at third and Mark Teahen as a late replacement in left, the White Sox really had no business even being in the game with K.C.

But after falling behind 5-0, they started chipping away and entered the ninth inning trailing 6-3.

It still looked like a two-game sweep for the Royals, especially when Soria got A.J. Pierzynski and Morel on groundouts to start the inning.

But a hit, a walk, and two more hits got the rally started, and Carlos Quentin put the Sox in front 7-6 with a 2-run double.

Amazing comeback, but it was almost wasted when Kansas City tied it with a run off closer Matt Thornton in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings for the second straight game.

Morel's 2-run single in the 12th finally settled the outcome, and we'll let statistical history tell the rest of the story:

*It was the first time since Aug. 10, 2001 the White Sox won on the road while trailing by 3 runs or more in the ninth inning.

*The Sox won despite committing 4 errors, their most in one game since July 16 of last season, a 7-4 loss at Minnesota.

*Quentin had his first 4-hit game since Aug. 8, 2008, and his big double off Soria allows the White Sox to come home with their heads held high.