Ramirez impresses once again

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Paul Konerko homered, rookie Alexei Ramirez made a case for a starting role and the White Sox beat the Texas Rangers 5-4 Friday night.

Konerko hit a 2-run home run off Texas closer C.J. Wilson in the fourth inning, and Ramirez provided the winning margin by throwing out a runner at home plate. He also went 2-for-4 and drove in a run.

"I think Ramirez has done a tremendous job since we got him. I think he earned a spot in the lineup," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I think he's been playing good everywhere we play him."

The White Sox got to see just about every reliever in the Rangers bullpen, with nine pitchers each going 1 inning.

Ramirez bolstered his case to be the Sox' fill-in starter in center field by throwing out Marlon Byrd at the plate on a two-out single by Gerald Laird in the sixth inning to keep the score tied at 2-2.

Ramirez increased his average to .355 and impressed Guillen further with the throw from center field. Guillen still planned to consult with the rest of his coaching staff today before making a final decision, but gave Ramirez his vote to replace injured Jerry Owens in the opening-day lineup.

"I think he should be the center fielder," Guillen said. "The way he played center field, he should be."