Sox actually like Twins' ballpark?

MINNEAPOLIS - Disappointed by their inability to sweep the Twins, the White Sox nonetheless found something they liked in the two-game series: Target Field.

"I love this ballpark," Sox starter John Danks said after taking a tough loss on Wednesday. "That ball (Michael) Cuddyer hit would have been in the upper deck at the Metrodome."

Cuddyer's blast was snared at the wall by a leaping Alex Rios in the fifth inning.

"They did a great job with this ballpark," Danks continued. "Anything beats the Metrodome."

The Sox were often beaten before they even took the field at the Twins' old stadium and that's why they lost 16 of their last 19 at the Metrodome.

It's still a new ballpark, but Target Field plays much more fair and several deep drives in the series by both the Sox and Twins died before flying over the fences.

In addition to Rios' grab on Cuddyer's long flyball, Justin Morneau's rocket to straightaway center Tuesday night also landed in Rios' glove.

"You can see it's a different kind of baseball when you come to Minnesota now," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "The way the ballpark plays is legit. A lot of people that come here now have a chance. They're going to compete against a good ballclub, there's no doubt, but whoever comes here now has a better chance because this is a different ballpark.''

Staying put: Gordon Beckham stayed in the No. 8 spot Wednesday and raised his batting average to .191 after going 1-for-3.

There has been speculation that Beckham is going to be demoted to Class AAA Charlotte, but that's not likely for the foreseeable future.

"I don't think right now we should talk about it because all of a sudden you put more pressure on this kid's mind," manager Ozzie Guilen said. "He seems like he is still in-between to me. He's waiting too long and when he tries to swing the bat the ball is on top of him. This game is hard enough to play without other stuff going through your mind."

Go Hawks: Manager Ozzie Guillen is thrilled the Blackhawks advanced to the Western Conference finals against San Jose.

"I love it," he said. "Chicago really needs it. We all (stink). All sports in Chicago are very bad, and we need that. We need something good and positive for the city. It's a great sports city. The fans need wins. They're desperate to have fun, and I don't think there's a more fun city when they're winning. The Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, the Bears, we're not doing too good. Hopefully at the end of the season, the White Sox make those guys smile."

Take the Field: Tickets are still available for Saturday's Family Field Day at U.S. Cellular Field.

Fans purchasing tickets ($25 for adults, $12 for children 13 and under) can play on the field, visit the dugouts and bullpens and also purchase game-worn and used equipment.

Call (312) 674-5121 for more information.