Konerko carries White Sox to victory over Orioles

CHICAGO (AP) -- Paul Konerko knows what it's like to have a slow start. He also knows how to get going in a hurry.

The White Sox slugger hit a pair of home runs to lead Chicago over the Baltimore Orioles 6-1 Sunday.

Hitting just .197 with three homers coming in, Konerko connected off Jeremy Guthrie leading off the second and sixth innings. The teams split a doubleheader Saturday and finish the four-game series Monday afternoon.

Konerko is familiar with horrible Aprils. He hit .198 last season and .218 in 2005, when the White Sox won the World Series. But as always, Konerko's managed to drive in runs. He has more RBIs (18) than hits (17) this year.

"I've been feeling pretty good going back a few games," Konerko said. "But sometimes the results don't come out. ... I'm not concentrating on hitting home runs. Those will come in the summer months. But any ones you pick up early are good."

With Jermaine Dye missing his third straight game (strained left groin), White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was glad to see Konerko carry the team again.

"We need Paulie to get going," Guillen said. "He's the type of guy who doubts himself too much about hitting. We need him to start coming out of that. I think it was a relief for him to have this day today."

The White Sox were patient at the plate and aggressive on the bases, a good combination for a team that often relies too much on its sluggers. They scored two runs in the sixth on an infield hit and a Baltimore error. Chicago picked up two more in the seventh on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch and a fielder's choice.

Jose Contreras (2-2) earned his second win against Baltimore this season, giving up Brian Roberts' home run in the third. Contreras allowed five hits, walked three, and struck out three in 6 2/3 innings.

"I'm throwing strikes, that's the most important thing right now," he said through an interpreter.

In the sixth, A.J. Pierzynski followed Konerko's homer with a single and Matt Albers replaced Guthrie. Carlos Quentin singled off Albers and both runners advanced on a sacrifice by Alexei Ramirez.

Brian Anderson then hit a grounder toward charging shortstop Brandon Fahey, whose throw home was wild and allowed Pierzynski to score. While catcher Ramon Hernandez corralled the ball, Quentin came charging around third to score, sliding under a wild throw by Hernandez that allowed Anderson to take second. Fahey and Hernandez were charged with errors on the play but Pierzynski's run was earned.

"I tried to get rid of it too quick and just made a bad throw," Fahey said.

The White Sox had three stolen bases in the game, which is significant considering they only had four coming into the game.

"We're slow," Guillen said. "You watch the same game I watch. We don't have a speedy team like Tampa Bay or Minnesota. But one thing we do, so far, we run the bases well. I want to push Quentin and a couple other guys to steal more bases. I don't want people to come in to town and think if we don't hit home runs, we're not going to score."

Guthrie (0-3) gave up three runs in five-plus innings. He allowed five hits and two walks, striking out five. He also had a throwing error. He is winless in his last 15 starts, going back to July 27.

"He had 45 pitches after the second inning," Orioles manager Dave Tremblay said. "He'd get to two strikes and didn't finish them off. They fought off some pitches and got deep in counts and he ran his pitch count up. The couple of home run balls, that just happens."

Greg Aquino walked the bases loaded in the seventh before hitting Quentin to let in a run. Ramirez drove in a run with a fielder's choice. The Orioles have hit Quentin in three straight games, twice with the bases loaded.

"He's always getting hit by a pitch at the right spot," Guillen said. "I like it."

Game notes
Jim Thome struck out three times before walking and scoring a run in the seventh. ... Konerko's last two-homer game came on June 28 against Tampa Bay. He has 22 two-homer games. ... Quentin has reached safely in 12 straight games. ... White Sox SS Orlando Cabrera is hitless in his last 15 at-bats. ... Nick Markakis has reached base in 22 straight games. ... Anderson's grounder in the sixth was later ruled a hit. The official scorer also changed a ruling, making Pierzynski's run earned and Quentin's unearned on Fahey's errant throw.