Sun Apr 27 17:42:12 2008

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Konerko powers ChiSox past O's

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Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Paul Konerko went 2-for-2 with a pair of solo home runs, good for the 22nd multi-homer game of his career, to lead the Chicago White Sox past the Baltimore Orioles, 6-1, in the third of a four-game set from U.S. Cellular Field.

Carlos Quentin also had a pair of hits and an RBI for the Sox, who are 2-1 against the Orioles in the current series, which will close out Monday afternoon.

Jose Contreras (2-2) threw 6 2/3 innings and only gave up one run on five hits, while fanning three and walking three.

"I thought he (Contreras) pitched very well the last three times he's started," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "The key for him is getting ahead on the count, when he does that he wins."

Brian Roberts went 2-for-3 and recorded the only RBI for Baltimore, which has dropped two in a row on the heels of a three-game win streak. Melvin Mora had a hit, as did Nick Markakis.

Jeremy Guthrie (0-3) took the loss after being roughed up for three runs on five hits in five innings of work.

"He (Guthrie) pitches the best he can every time he's out there," Orioles manager Dave Trembly said. "I thought, today, location was his problem. After a while, his pitch count became a problem."

Konerko led off the bottom of the second with his fourth homer of the year.

Roberts' third home run of the year tied the game in the third.

Konerko added another solo shot to lead off the sixth, followed by a A.J. Pierzynski single, which chased Guthrie in favor of Matt Albers. Quentin kept it going with a single and a Alexei Ramirez sac bunt made it second and third. Brian Anderson's fielder's choice scored two runs, and the Sox led 4-1 through six frames.

Chicago tacked on more runs in the seventh. Greg Aquino toed the mound in relief of Albers and walked the first three batters to load the bases. Quentin was hit by a pitch to score Orlando Cabrera and Dennis Sarfate was called in from the bullpen. Ramirez managed an RBI groundout, which plated Jim Thome, and the Sox were sitting on a 6-1 cushion through seven innings.

Game Notes

Prior to the game, Chicago called up Ehren Wassermann and designated Mike MacDougal for assignment...Baltimore had three errors...Attendance was 29,756.