Sox pull within a game of first place in AL Central

Posted July 04, 2010 11:00 pm

ARLINGTON, Texas - The White Sox were buried in the AL Central standings a month ago, 9½ games off the lead.

They've certainly turned things around. Since being in that position on June 8, the streaking White Sox have pulled within a game of division leaders Minnesota and Detroit.

Alexei Ramirez hit a go-ahead, 2-run homer in the sixth inning to lead the White Sox to a 5-3 victory over the Texas Rangers on Sunday night.

"A couple weeks ago, we didn't know what to do with this ballclub," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said after taking two of three from the AL West-leading Rangers.

"A lot of people lost faith in this ballclub. So we've turned around and proved a lot of people wrong. We touched the bottom very bad, but we stuck together and that showed me a lot about this team."

Paul Konerko and Carlos Quentin hit back-to-back doubles in the sixth to tie it at 3-3. Two outs later Ramirez lined a homer off starter Scott Feldman (5-8).

Mark Buehrle (7-7) won for the fourth time in 5 starts to even his record for the first time since April 21. He allowed 3 runs - including homers by Josh Hamilton and Julio Borbon - and 5 hits over 7 innings.

Buehrle improved his career record against Texas to 12-5 with a 3.42 ERA, holding down a lineup that led the majors in June with a .311 average and 178 runs.

"This was a big test for us," Buehrle said. "You look at that lineup, it seemed everybody was hitting .300. It was a good challenge for our pitching staff to come in and mow these guys down with quality starts in all three games."

Matt Thornton, who earned his first all-star berth, got three outs for his fifth save in seven chances. He was subbing for regular closer Bobby Jenks, who came off the bereavement list Friday after missing almost a week and is working to get back into game shape.

Guillen said Jenks should be available Monday night for the opener of a four-game home series against the Los Angeles Angels.

White Sox pitching limited the Rangers to 7 runs in the three-game series.

"We're not pressing, we've just cooled off with the bats and we're not holding on to a lead when we get it," Hamilton said. "We're leaving some runners on base. Hopefully we can pick things up again."

Feldman allowed 5 runs - 4 earned - and 8 hits in 6 innings for the Rangers, who have lost four of six.

Of the Sox' 24 hits in the first two games of the series, 22 were singles and 2 were doubles. This time, 4 of the 9 hits for the White Sox went for extra bases.

"Clutch hitting is what was missing," Guillen said. "For the last 21/2 weeks, we've had big hits in the right situations, with people on base."

White Sox third baseman Omar Vizquel left in the third inning after being hit by a Feldman pitch. He was struck by a fastball in the left knee and rolled to the ground in pain with what was later diagnosed as a bruise following negative X-rays.

He was examined on the field by White Sox medical personnel before walking slowly to the dugout and was replaced by Viciedo. The White Sox said Vizquel would be evaluated Monday in Chicago.

White Sox scouting report

White Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels at U.S. Cellular Field

TV: Comcast SportsNet Plus Monday; Channel 26 Tuesday; Comcast SportsNet Wednesday and Thursday

Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Pitching matchups: The White Sox' Gavin Floyd (3-7) vs. Scott Kazmir (7-7) Monday at 6:05 p.m.; Jake Peavy (7-6) vs. Jered Weaver (8-3) Tuesday at 7:10 p.m.; Freddy Garcia (8-3) vs. Joe Saunders (6-8) Wednesday at 7:10 p.m.; John Danks (7-7) vs. Ervin Santana (8-6) Thursday at 1:05 p.m.

At a glance: The White Sox close out the first half of the season with a seven-game homestand, starting with four against the Angels. The Sox are 0-2 against Los Angeles this season; they dropped a pair at home in May. Dating to last season, the White Sox have lost five of six to the Angels. Juan Pierre and A.J. Pierzynski are a combined 9-for-18 against L.A. this year. Floyd won his last start, at Kansas City on Tuesday. The right-hander is 1-1 with a 1.26 ERA in his last 5 starts; he has 2 complete games in 5 career starts against the Angels.

Next: Kansas City Royals, Friday-Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field

- Scot Gregor