Konerko homers White Sox past Orioles

Bats doing just enough to keep Sox afloat in 1st

By Dave van Dyck | Tribune staff reporter

10:24 PM CDT, April 27, 2008

How do you figure these first-place White Sox?

How can a team that is last in the league in hitting be first in runs per game?

The abnormal continued Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field, as the Sox scored six runs on seven hits and still managed to leave eight runners on base in a 6-1 win over Baltimore.

The keys are:

• Timely hitting, which the Sox got from Paul Konerko with two solo homers.

• Manufacturing runs, which they did by scoring twice on no hits in the seventh inning.

• Strong starting pitching, which they got from Jose Contreras.

"Our lineup is such that the first month has been really good," Konerko said. "It seems like it's a different guy every night. Every guy has had his little part. That's what makes a good team."

Konerko, who started the game hitting .197, homered in the second and sixth innings to give Contreras a 2-1 lead. Konerko now has 17 hits — and 18 RBIs.

"Ultimately, that's my job," Konerko said of driving in runs. "But you're going to have to hit to get those eventually. It's a long season, and it's all about what you do when you're cold, what you can pick up. The main thing is just to do something good early because you know when it warms up, you're going to get your [stats]."

The Sox scored two more after Konerko's second homer with the help of two Baltimore errors and then two more an inning later on three walks, Carlos Quentin getting hit by a pitch for the sixth time and a fielder's choice by Alexei Ramirez.

Quentin also had two singles and a walk, raising his average to .288 after starting the series at .246. He has reached base in 15 of 16 games.

"Carlos has had good at-bats every day I've put him in the lineup," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "He's always getting hit by a pitch in the right spot. I like it. This kid gives you everything he has every at-bat. I don't see him wasting one at-bat yet."

Contreras won his second game against Baltimore in two weeks. In his last three games, Conteras has a 2.70 ERA after allowing one run in 62/3 innings Sunday.

"I was throwing strikes, and the defense was working behind me," Contreras said. "I was aggressive toward the plate. I was throwing strikes, and that's the most important thing."

As for Konerko, Guillen has been patient because the production has been better than the batting average.

"We need Paulie to get it going," Guillen said. "He's the type of guy who gets it in his head about hitting. As soon as he comes out of that, I think we will be better.

"Our offense is not the one we think we can have. We've got a couple of guys still trying to fight their way out."

With their new emphasis on on-base percentage, the Sox have survived the hitting drought and have gone 3-3 on their homestand against the Yankees and Orioles, with one game left Monday.

"That's a huge game in my mind," Konerko said. "It's been a tough week. Those Yankee games are always a marathon, and we had the rainout and the day-night doubleheader.

"[Monday] is the type of game that good teams that want to go to the playoffs win."

dvandyck@tribune.com