Guillen still in Santos’ corner as closer

How hyped up was White Sox closer Sergio Santos while blowing Friday night’s game against the Athletics?

At one point, catcher A.J. Pierzynski rushed out to the mound after Santos tried to throw a pitch without getting a sign.

Still, it’s almost impossible to explain how Santos squandered a 5-3 lead with two outs in the ninth inning and an 0-2 count on Oakland’s Josh Willingham.

Santos allowed 4 runs on 2 hits, 3 walks and a hit batter as the Sox fell 7-5.

On Saturday, manager Ozzie Guillen was still in Santos’ corner.

“We ask this kid a lot,” Guillen said of the former minor-league shortstop. “This kid is just learning how to pitch. We have to be patient with him. There’s going to be days like that and there’s going to be a few more games like that.

“That’s going to happen. My question is how he’s going to bounce back the next day or the next time he has an opportunity like that?”

It’s an obvious question, especially since Santos has allowed 7 runs on 5 hits and 5 walks in 1⅔ innings over his last 2 appearances.

If Guillen eases Santos out of the closer’s role, Jesse Crain could get a shot, and Matt Thornton might get another chance as well.

Crain got the call Saturday night and picked up his first save of the season after walking Hideki Matsui on 4 pitches leading off the ninth inning.

“I’m not going to unplug the thing with Santos,” Guillen said after the Sox edged the A’s 3-2. “I still believe in Santos. If Crain is going to be our closer, that’s not the way we plan it.

“But now we know he can do it, and when Santos needs a day or Thornton, I don’t mind putting him out there.”

Starter Edwin Jackson is the wild card. When Jake Peavy returns from the disabled list, Jackson taking over as closer is sure to come up.

Already saying he’s open to a potential move to the bullpen, Jackson closed for Class AAA Durham in 2006 and had 5 saves.

Two in a row:After opening the season at 0-8, John Danks notched his second straight win Saturday. The left-hander pitched 7#8532; innings and allowed 2 runs on 4 hits.#147;This is awesome,#148; Danks said. #147;Who would have thought I#146;d be celebrating being 2-8?#147;But you know what, June#146;s a new month, I#146;m looking at it that way. I#146;m going to put the first two months behind me and really focus on just making the next four months my whole season this year, and I#146;m off to a good start.#148;Climbing the charts:Paul Konerko was held to a single in 4 at-bats, ending his franchise record streak of nine games with an extra-base hit. On Friday, Konerko hit career home run No. 381, tying him with Albert Belle for 60th place on the all-time list.#147;Albert hit a lot of homers, so it#146;s an honor to be in the same group with him,#148; Konerko said. #147;But those are things you think about after the season. I think I#146;ve always been a good hitter first and a home run hitter second.#148;