Sox' bats needed a game like this

As the White Sox were embarking on a seven-game losing streak last week, Paul Konerko weighed in on the continued bad play from the back end of the bullpen.

“I think everybody thinks it's just going to be one of those games where we have a 2-3 run lead and we go out there and get three outs in a row, three pop-ups, and from there on it'll probably be fine,” Konerko said after the Sox blew a 4-1 ninth-inning lead to Oakland at U.S. Cellular Field and lost 7-4 in 10. “But until that happens, the page can't be turned and that's kind of how these things go.”

Fast-forward a week later, and Konerko's assessment is still in play.

But this time around, Konerko could just as easily have been talking about the White Sox' offense.

After scoring just 2 total runs while losing three straight to the Rays at Tropicana Field, the Sox were desperately seeking an outburst in Thursday night's series finale.

They got it, a 9-2 win over Tampa Bay, and it puts the brakes on a worrisome early skid.

But unless the Sox can carry the offensive momentum into this weekend's three-game set against the Tigers in Detroit, the page is going to flip right back.

Konerko, Carlos Quentin, Omar Vizquel and A.J. Pierzynski all had 2 RBI in the lopsided win, which came against Rays right-hander Jeff Niemann.

Throughout the losing streak, the White Sox' bats were silenced by some of the better starting pitchers in the American League — the Athletics' Brett Anderson (1-1, 1.63 ERA) and Trevor Cahill (2-0, 2.49), the Angels' Jered Weaver (5-0, 1.23) and Dan Haren (4-0, 1.16), and the Rays' David Price (2-2, 2.83).

That really helps explain the Sox' .193 batting average in the 10 games before Thursday's win.

The White Sox did get well against Tampa Bay right-hander Jeff Niemann, who allowed 6 runs on 6 hits in 4 innings. With an 0-3 record and 7.08 ERA, Niemann is one of the AL's worst starters, but you won't hear any apologies from the White Sox.

While it remains to be seen if the Sox' offense is breaking out or just beat up on a bad pitcher for one game, there are some encouraging signs.

In addition to driving in 2 runs, Quentin hit his 11th double and that leads the majors.

Konerko upped his season RBI total to 15, which ranks among league leaders.

Juan Pierre finally had a productive night out of the leadoff spot (2-for-4, 3 runs, stolen base), and Adam Dunn only struck out once in 5 at-bats.

The White Sox still need to get their two youngsters, Gordon Beckham and Brent Morel, going.

But as manager Ozzie Guillen said on his Facebook page before the win: “Just stay positive people.”

If the Sox can string together a few more wins like Thursday's, maybe they will.