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Uribe powers White Sox past Rockies

Jun 14, 2008 - 4:07 AM By Gene Chamberlain PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen had a hunch it was time to give Juan Uribe a start on Friday against the Colorado Rockies.

Uribe made Guillen look good with a two-run single in the seventh inning to tie the game. He then scored the eventual winning run on A.J. Pierzynski's infield single as the White Sox rallied to a 5-4 victory over the Rockies in the opener of a three-game interleague series.

"I'm proud of him," Guillen said of Uribe, who hadn't started a game since May 15 and lost his starting second base spot to rookie Alexei Ramirez. "He's in a tough situation and he's taking it the right way.

"He's been a tremendous professional. He's never complained about it. All he does is the best he can every day."

Uribe drove a one-out pitch from reliever Matt Herges (2-3) into center field to plate Jermaine Dye and Nick Swisher and knot the score at 4-4. Then Uribe scooted to third on a two-out passed ball and came home when Pierzynski's ground ball was mishandled by Rockies shortstop Omar Quintanilla, resulting in an infield single.

"I put myself on the line with that at-bat," Guillen said about not pinch-hitting for Uribe, who was hitting .198 before his game-tying single. "It's do-or-die for any decision a manager makes.

"He was swinging the bat pretty well."

Uribe went on the disabled list after his May 15 start due to a pulled hamstring, then returned May 31 to find he couldn't get on the field with Ramirez batting .408 over his last 13 games.

"I want to play, but I'm mainly here to help the team win," Uribe said through an interpreter. "I'm just grateful Ozzie gave me a chance to play.

"The team has stayed behind me all the way."

Orlando Cabrera and Brian Anderson belted solo homers for Chicago, which posted its ninth consecutive victory at U.S. Cellular Field.

Ian Stewart belted a pair of solo shots and Willy Taveras and Brad Hawpe also homered for Colorado, which blasted a season-high four homers in the loss.

"I've never been to this park before and I've heard when you come in here and it's hot, the ball flies out of here - and that's what happened tonight," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said.

The home runs were the only hits off Chicago starter Gavin Floyd, who pitched 6 1/3 innings. Matt Thornton (3-1) struck out both batters he faced in the seventh to pick up the win.

Scott Linebrink struck out two in the eighth and Bobby Jenks survived some anxious moments in the ninth to pick up his 16th save of the season.

The closer gave up a single to Hawpe with two out. Former White Sox outfielder Scott Podsednik made his first appearance against his former team as a pinch runner and stole second before going to third on Pierzynski's wild throw into center field. But Jenks struck out Chris Iannetta to end the game.

"You had to know that Scotty was going with two outs and Bobby pitching with that big leg kick, and he was," Pierzynski said. "Luckily, Bobby just focused on the batter and got the strikeout."