White Sox Corky Miller has rare multihit game

Give Corky Miller credit. He has a good sense of humor.

After going 2-for-4 and driving in 2 runs during the White Sox' 8-0 win over the Twins on Saturday, the journeyman catcher was informed it was his first multihit game since 2003.

"That's probably only 50 at-bats," Miller said with a knowing grin.

The 33-year-old Miller has played in 133 big-league games with the Reds, Twins, Red Sox, Braves and White Sox since beginning his pro career in 1998.

According to White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, Miller is going to pad that skimpy statistic this season.

"He's been great all spring," Guillen said. "This guy handles the pitching staff real well, he's a veteran player, and he swings the bat pretty good. You're going to see him in a lot of action because I want to give A.J. (Pierzynski) more days off than he's had in the past."

Breaking out: After going 0-for-14 to start the season, Alexei Ramirez came through with run-scoring singles in the fourth and fifth innings Saturday.

"We talked to him about it," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Everybody in baseball in general, when you get your first hit you feel more relaxed at the plate."

Mac attack: White Sox reliever Mike MacDougal appeared to be back in a familiar spot - manager Ozzie Guillen's doghouse.

MacDougal faced two Minnesota hitters Friday night and walked both of them on 8 pitches.

The lanky right-hander was booed by the U.S. Cellular Field crowd on his way back to the dugout, another familiar scene.

"If the booing bothers him, he can't pitch here," Guillen said. "He can't. I don't think we have given anybody more chances than him."

MacDougal got another chance on Saturday, and he finally took advantage of it, pitching 2 scoreless innings and recording 3 strikeouts.

"In a game like that, I had to show him a vote of confidence," Guillen said. "When this kid's right, he has unbelievable stuff. We need him."

Day of firsts: Brent Lillibridge made his first start of the season for the White Sox on Saturday. Lillibridge, acquired from the Atlanta Braves in the Javier Vazquez trade, also batted leadoff and played second base, both career firsts.

"I did what I had to do," said Lillibridge, who drew 2 walks and stole a base. "It was good."