Defense big key for Sox

Pitching and defense are two key ingredients for successful teams, and the White Sox have been excelling in both areas lately.

"I think they kind of go hand in hand," first baseman Paul Konerko said. "When you get good pitching like we've been getting, everybody is on their toes and into the game. When that happens, you're ready to make plays."

Konerko has been making them all season, especially when it comes to picking low throws out of the dirt.

Right fielder Carlos Quentin made a standout catch against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night, even though he paid the price by banging his left knee and shoulder on the warning track.

Center fielder Alex Rios has been playing Gold Glove defense all season, and shortstop Alexei Ramirez is emerging as the Sox' best defensive player.

"I think Alexei can be better," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "He's matured as a shortstop; he's still learning about the position in the big leagues. Right now I can truly say he's maybe the best shortstop in the American League. I like the kid from Texas (Elvis Andrus) and I like (the Angels' Erick) Aybar. Those two kids are pretty good."

How good has Ramirez been this season? Heading into Tuesday, he had the best UZR (ultimate zone rating), 8.6, of any shortstop in baseball.

Twins looking to add? There are plenty of rumors that the Minnesota Twins are looking to shore up their shaky starting rotation by trading for Seattle Mariners ace Cliff Lee.

"Is (Lee) that bad?" Sox manager Ozzie Guillen asked. "He's played like on three teams in three different months. Or is he that good because everyone wants him?"

It's obviously the latter - Lee is 8-3 with 89 strikeouts and only 6 walks in 1032/3 innings this season. The left-hander also leads the American League in ERA (2.34) and complete games (5).

"He's playing with a team that thinks they're not going to be in it, then you're going to be out there," Guillen said. "That's part of the game. We're not thinking (about him), we're not talking about it, and if they (Twins) get him, they get him.

"Can a pitcher make a difference? Yes, but you have to play well, have to play right. It's not like whoever gets him is definitely in."

Pauliewood: Boston's Kevin Youkilis is leading the Final Vote balloting for the All-Star Game, with Nick Swisher second and Michael Young third.

The White Sox' Paul Konerko remains fourth, ahead of Delmon Young.

"It sounds like it's going to come down to Thursday," Konerko said of the last day of voting. "We'll see. We have a day game and I've been told most voting is done during the game."

The deadline is 3 p.m.