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ChiSox win in Guillen's final game as manager

Sep 27, 2011 - 3:53 AM Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - The White Sox won the opener of their final series of the season, 4-3, against Toronto, but the bigger story is about Chicago's manager.

Ozzie Guillen has just managed his last game with the White Sox and the Chicago Sun-Times reported that he will become the manager of the Florida Marlins.

"I'm not going to point fingers and blame anybody," said Guillen. "I've been talking to Jerry (Chicago owner Jerry Reinsdorf) for a little while and I talked to him this morning. It was a contract issue and it was a very nice talk. I respect Jerry for the decision cause it was a decision that had to be made. If anyone wants to blame Jerry, they're wrong. The best thing about this is that I walk out of here with my head up. He gave me an opportunity to play in the big league and manage in the big league."

Earlier on Monday, interim Marlins manager Jack McKeon said he would not return for next season and before the game at U.S. Cellular Field, Guillen confirmed that he met with Reinsdorf.

Guillen said that he left the meeting with "nothing" and the Sun-Times said that Guillen and the Marlins are in the final stages of a deal.

After the game, it was announced that Guillen had been released from his contract by the White Sox.

"We certainly cannot thank Ozzie enough for all he has done during his eight seasons as manager of the Chicago White Sox, highlighted by an unforgettable 2005 World Series championship," Reinsdorf said in a statement. "I personally appreciate everything he has done for this organization, our fans and the city of Chicago. We shared the greatest moments together and wish him nothing but future success in baseball and in life."

Guillen had managed the White Sox for the past eight seasons to a record of 678-617 and won a World Series with them in 2005. He played shortstop for the team for 13 seasons.

This season, the White Sox have posted a record of 78-82 and currently sit in third place in the American League Central Division.

Meanwhile, Tyler Flowers hit a three-run home run to help the White Sox take Monday's win.

Dayan Viciedo drove in the other run while Dylan Axelrod (1-0) pitched six scoreless innings and gave up just three hits for his first career win for the White Sox, who came into the set having lost three of four.

David Cooper had a pinch-hit, two-run double in the ninth while Adam Lind brought in the other run for the Blue Jays, who have lost three straight.

Dustin McGowan (0-2) gave up three runs on four hits with three walks and three strikeouts over four innings.

Flowers three-run shot over the wall in left-center, his fourth of the season, staked the White Sox to a 3-0 lead in the second inning.

Viciedo added an RBI double in the seventh for a 4-0 advantage.

In the eighth, the Blue Jays got on the board when Lind grounded out to plate Mike McCoy.

Sergio Santos came on for the ninth and got into trouble. J.P. Arencibia walked to start the frame and Mark Teahen singled. After strikeouts to Colby Rasmus and Adam Loewen, Cooper launched a double to right to make it a one-run game.

Eric Thames then walked and Jose Bautista followed with a walk to load the bases. Lind then struck out swinging as Santos escaped for his 30th save of the season, giving Guillen a win in his final game on the bench for the White Sox.

Game Notes

The Blue Jays took three of four from the White Sox in Toronto in late May...The Blue Jays batted 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10...Chicago went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base.