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Buehrle keeps White Sox alive

Sep 28, 2008 - 10:31 PM By Rory Spears PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago White Sox finally found a way to win a game, keeping their season alive for another day.

Mark Buehrle tossed seven strong innings as the White Sox ended a five-game losing streak by defeating the Cleveland Indians, 5-1, on Sunday.

The victory forces Chicago to play the Detroit Tigers in a make-up of a rainout at U.S. Cellular Field on Monday afternoon.

"We had to win this game to be alive for (Monday)," Buehrle said. "I don't think we have had a game this big since we were in the postseason in 2005."

A loss on Sunday coupled with a win by Minnesota (88-74) would have eliminated Chicago (87-74) from postseason contention and given the Twins the American League Central Division championship.

"We had no choice but to win," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Now all we can do is play as good as we can the next two days, I'll take my chances - we are playing here."

Minnesota defeated Kansas City 6-0 Sunday afternoon at home and remained one-half game ahead of White Sox.

The Twins now have to wait and see if they are headed to Chicago for a one-game playoff on Tuesday to determine the division championship.

Cleveland jumped out to an 1-0 lead in the second inning, when Jhonny Peralta hit a homer off Buehrle - his 23rd.

"I made a mistake on that pitch to (Peralta) and left it over the middle of the plate," Buehrle said. "Over the course of the game I left other pitches over the plate but got lucky with them."

Chicago responded in the bottom half to take a 3-1 lead.

Paul Konerko hit his fourth home run of the series and his 22nd of season - a solo shot to tie the game at 1-1.

"I got good pitches to hit this whole series and didn't miss them," Konerko said. "Right now I am trying to be aggressive at the plate and be locked in with the situation of that moment in the game."

The White Sox then added two more runs off of Indians starter Bryan Bullington (0-2), who replaced Cy Young Award candidate Cliff Lee due to a stiff neck.

After loading the bases, Chicago took a 2-1 lead when Juan Uribe's grounder handcuffed Cleveland third baseman Jamey Carroll. The error scored Ken Griffey Jr. and Orlando Cabrera followed with a sacrifice fly.

"The second inning I fell behind to Konerko and again to Griffey," Bullington said. "Then I thought I made some pitches to get us out of the inning, we just didn't get the bounces."

Chicago built its lead to 5-1 in the seventh inning, when Jermaine Dye's two-out single drove in two runs.

"That hit gave us a little cushion," Dye said. "In that situation, I didn't want to panic, just hit it out there somewhere, and it fell just over the shortstop's head."

Buehrle (15-12), who started for the third time this season on three days' rest, went seven innings, allowing nine hits while striking out six and walking one. Buehrle scattered nine hits and was aided by four double plays.

"With (Cleveland) putting the ball in play today I needed that defense behind me," Buehrle said. "The guys making those plays behind me was a big help."

Matt Thornton put Cleveland down in order in the eighth inning before closer Bobby Jenks finished up the ninth in relief of Buehrle.