Chicago, IL – Alex Rios hit a two-run homer and Chris Sale tossed seven scoreless innings as Chicago shut down Minnesota, 6-0, in the middle test of a three-game series.
Paul Konerko added three hits, including solo shot, and scored three times for the White Sox, who have won five of their last six. Adam Dunn and A.J. Pierzynski added an RBI apiece for the victors.
"These guys are resilient and always find a way to bounce back," said Chicago manager Robin Ventura. "The offense was there tonight and the pitching was solid all the way through."
Sale (5-2) gave up two hits and walked two while striking out six, throwing 64 of his 97 pitches for strikes.
Scott Diamond (3-1) was rocked for five runs -- two earned -- on nine hits over six full frames for the Twins, who suffered just their second loss in their last seven.
"I haven't had problems throwing strikes, but I think I need to expand my zone," said Diamond. "It's nothing I'm worried about, it's just something that I have to work harder at."
The Sox pushed a three-run lead to five in the sixth. Konerko led off with a single and Rios also reached on an error. Pierzynski doubled in Konerko, and a Dayan Viciedo grounder put two in scoring position. Alexei Ramirez was intentionally walked, then Orlando Hudson's grounder plated Rios.
Konerko's two-out solo homer made it 6-0 in the home seventh.
Sale finished his outing with a 1-2-3 seventh, then Jesse Crain stranded two in scoring position in the eighth. Matt Thornton left Mauer at third in the ninth by inducing a game-ending flyout from Ryan Doumit.
Chicago's first at-bat proved fruitful as Alejandro De Aza hit a leadoff single, moved all the way to third on a Jamey Carroll error from a Gordon Beckham grounder, and scored on Dunn's base hit.
Konerko began the fourth with a base hit and Rios followed with a two-run blast to left.
Game Notes
Sale has allowed two runs or less in six of his nine starts this season...Konerko recorded his fourth three-hit game of the year and his second three-run outing, after doing so on May 15 against Detroit...Hudson made his first career start at third base on Wednesday.
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