Santos appreciates Guillen’s non-move

Before Sergio Santos barely saved Sunday’s 5-4 win over the Athletics at U.S. Cellular Field, manager Ozzie Guillen might have saved the struggling relief pitcher’s career.

Obviously still rattled from his last outing, a blown save against the same A’s on Friday night, Santos got the call again in the ninth inning with the White Sox seemingly in good shape with a 5-3 lead.

Santos struggled again, however, allowing a leadoff single to Conor Jackson and a one-out walk to Scott Sizemore.

With Chris Sale and Brian Bruney warming in the bullpen, Guillen went out to the mound for an apparent change.

But rather than making a move, Guillen offered advice and encouragement and headed back to the dugout.

“It’s a growing process for him,” Guillen said. “He threw the ball good; he was just so anxious to get it done. That’s the wrong approach when you’re the closer. In that position, you’ve got to throw strikes.”

Santos retired Josh Willingham on a deep flyball to right field and then yielded an RBI single to No. 9 hitter Jemile Weeks.

Oakland’s next hitter, Coco Crisp, appeared to be safe on an infield single, but first-base umpire Brian O’Nora ruled that third baseman Brent Morel’s long throw beat him to the bag.

Yes, Santos caught a huge break on the call, even though Morel should have simply stepped on third base for the forceout. But he did get the save, and more important, a vote of confidence from Guillen.

“That’s what I told (Guillen) as soon as I walked off the field,” Santos said. “I said, ‘Hey, I really appreciate you keeping me in there.’ It would have been real tough … if he takes me out there … even if we win the game, if he takes me out it would have been tougher on me mentally.

“This just did wonders for me, whether it was ugly or not. I was able to get the job done.”

Rolling along:White Sox starter Phil Humber didn#146;t appear to have it in the first inning Sunday, allowing 1 run on 2 hits.But the unsung right-hander settled down and pitched 7 innings, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits. Thanks to his sharp curveball, Humber (6-3) also had a career-high 7 strikeouts.Humber has pitched at least 7 innings in 5 straight starts, and he#146;s 5-1 with a 2.53 ERA in his last 9.#147;I don#146;t really look at the numbers a whole lot,#148; Humber said. #147;Every time out there, I want to give the team a chance to win. The numbers will take of themselves.#148;Take a seat:After saving Saturday#146;s 3-2 win over Oakland with a spectacular catch in eighth inning that robbed Coco Crisp of a 2-run homer, Brent Lillibridge was on the bench Sunday.That doesn#146;t mean Lillibridge will be out of the lineup for long.#147;This kid can do a lot of good things,#148; manager Ozzie Guillen said. #147;The only bad thing I saw in the past is when he tried to hit a home run on every swing. I think it was our mistake we put him in the infield.#147;All of the sudden we tried him in the outfield and he played very well; he#146;s got a great arm, great baseball instincts, a lot of speed.#147;Can he play every day? I don#146;t know yet. We tried to get him more at-bats and it didn#146;t work. We#146;re going to get him a lot of at-bats, but I don#146;t know if he can handle it every day.#148;