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Konerko homers, Vazquez shuts down Tigers

Sep 29, 2007 - 6:22 AM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Paul Konerko helped the Chicago White Sox win their third straight game.

Konerko hit a three-run homer and Javier Vazquez pitched effectively into the eighth inning as the White Sox beat the Detroit Tigers, 5-2, on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series.

Konerko's three-run blast - his 31st of the season - off Tigers starter Kenny Rogers in the third inning snapped a 1-1 tie.

Scott Podsednik started the inning with a triple and Jim Thome walked one-out later to set the stage for Konerko to crush Rogers' 3-1 offering over the left-center field wall to give the White Sox a 4-1 advantage. It was Konerko's second three-run shot in as many nights.

It is Chicago's longest winning streak since the club won four straight from August 2-5.

Vazquez (15-8) has been a bright spot for the White Sox during their disappointing season, winning his fourth straight start. The 31-year-old righthander gave up two runs and seven hits with a walk and nine strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings.

"Obviously, everyone knows that as a team, we didn't do what we were supposed to do, but I really personally needed a season like this with the consistency," Vazquez said. "Since Montreal, I haven't had a season like this. Personally, it is a little gratifying."

A native of Puerto Rico, Vazquez is now 4-0 with a 2.17 ERA and 42 strikeouts in his last four starts.

"The way he finished was amazing," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "He finished strong, he kept his tempo all year long. It was fun to watch this kid pitch this year."

Rogers (3-4) allowed four runs and seven hits in six frames to remain winless since July 4. The veteran lefthander walked a season-high six batters with just one strikeout.

Thome added a solo homer - his 34th of the season - in the seventh to grab a 5-1 lead.

As he attempts to win his first batting title, Magglio Ordonez went 2-for-4 as his average increased to .360 for Detroit, which was officially eliminated from the playoff race on Wednesday when the New York Yankees beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Ordonez did not come through in his most important at-bat of the night. Rookie Ehren Wassermann struck out the Venezuelan slugger to end the inning, stranding two base runners in the eighth.

Bobby Jenks pitched around a hit in the ninth to register his 40th save.