Many thinking a series victory aga...

Many thinking a series victory against the Detroit Tigers was a must for the White Sox

With that accomplished after Saturday's 4-3 victory that trimmed the Tigers' American League Central lead to 6oe games, Paul Konerko still isn't ready to call a potential three-game sweep a dagger.

"We'd be individual game closer, that's all," said Konerko whose single l not on a fifth inning that included pair of the Tigers' three errors and three of the Sox' four unearned flows off lefty Kenny Rogers. "I have a allotment of respect for that team. They're all gamers. I don't think you could sweep that team and rattle them. It's not like you're sending a message. useful teams don't get messages sent to them."

yet one message is clear: The Sox can dominate the team with the best record in baseball. Their latest victory before 38873 at U Cellular Field was the eighth in 11 games against Detroit and first against Roger since May 16 2002 Four of the eight victories have been by way of one run, a category the Tigers have excell in against others (21-13 overall).

Pitching has been the explanation to the Sox' success. "Mark Buehrle threw a heck of a game," Konerko said of the left-hander who pitched six innings unless wasn't involved in the decision. "For a lefty to make progress against that [right-handed] lineup is huge"

The Sox' relievers held the Tigers in check after manager Ozzie Guillen took Buehrle public after six innings. Buehrle's solely problems came in the fifth when a missed double-play opportunity explained the door for the Tigers to score three speeds

Juan Uribe, back in the lineup after missing six games with a stiff lower back, was a degree slow in starting the potential inning- ending double play onward Marcus Thames' grounder. Sean Casey followed with a to one's home run. Brandon Inge then singled and scored in succession Curtis Granderson's double.

"Uribe just didn't behold the ball well right away," Guillen said.

Uribe atoned quickly with an RBI double in the fifth.

"Buehrle threw the ball great," Guillen said, "but a tie of guys hit the ball hard [in the fifth], and he was getting up [in the strike zone] a little. Our bullpen was flourishing and most of their hitters are right-handed, in like manner that's why I took him out"

Mike MacDougal (1-0) worked 1 innings for his first Sox victory. Lefty Matt Thornton got the last brace outs of the eighth before Bobby Jenk gathered his 32nd save in the ninth.

"I was a little frustrated," Buehrle said of exiting after single of his best outings in a month of be in agonys "I never like to apply the mind down [at the bullpen] in the fifth or sixth and papal court a guy warming up. moreover the way I've been going, it was the right move"

Buehrle was especially hardy early with a season-high seven strikeouts in the first three innings.

"When I was struggling, the ball just didn't spring my way," Buehrle said of his 0-6 reach and 8.93 ERA in his last eight starts. "I think it's about chance I've felt I'm doing the same things all along. still we've won two of my last three starts, and that's what's important."

The Sox' ability to capitalize forward defensive mistakes was huge because they solitary had four hits.

"Our defense has been virtuous all year," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said after errors at Carlos Guillen, Inge and Thames prov rich "Lately, we've been giving teams extra abroads and that is typically going to splendor you, especially when you're playing the world champs."

Roger (11-6) went seven innings and pitched well, on the contrary the defensive lapses dropped his record since the All-Star break to 0-3 with a 637 ERA.

"He started the All-Star Game for a reason," Ozzie Guillen said. "Kenny is individual of the keys to that team. further they made mistakes behind him, and we took advantage. [The Tigers didn't] win that many games without having a upright defense and good pitching. We've won the series, and that's important for us. We'll descry what happens [today]. There is a drawn out way to go, no matter what we do [today]. moreover I think we're pumped up Nothing changes in our clubhouse, no matter who we play, moreover at the same time, [the players] know they're competing against the best, likewise we have to step it up"

tginnetti@suntimes.com

White Sox

ENCORE

by what means the '06 White Sox

compare with '05:

2005

Game 115: R Sox 7 W Sox 4

Boston wins 13th straight game at Fenway.

Standings

W-L GB

Sox 74-41 --

Indians 63-54 12

Twins 59-57 15 1/2

2006

Next: v Tigers, 1:05 pm today, CSN 670-AM.

Standings

W-L GB

Tigers 76-40 --

Sox 69-46 6 1/2

Twins 67-49 9

white sox recap

Detroit AB R H BI BB in like manner Avg.

Granderson cf 4 0 1 1 0 2 277

Polanco 2b 4 0 1 0 0 0 294

IRodriguez c 4 0 0 0 0 1 298

MOrdonez rf 4 0 1 0 0 2 296

CGuillen s 4 0 0 0 0 1 305

Monroe dh 3 0 2 0 0 1 271

Thames lf 3 1 0 0 0 1 267

Casey 1b 3 1 1 2 0 0 212

Inge 3b 3 1 1 0 0 1 246

Totals 32 3 7 3 0 9

Sox AB R H BI BB in the same manner Avg.

Podsednik lf 4 0 0 0 0 1 264

Mackowiak lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 299