White Sox Earn Eighth in a Row

The way Paul Konerko sees it, there is no reason to be surprised. The Chicago White Sox are hitting as advertised.

“Everybody’s chipping in,� the first baseman said. “It’s like a revolving door.�

And this time, Juan Uribe and Brian Anderson stepped through it.

Uribe hit two home runs and the defending World Series champions beat the Minnesota Twins, 7-3, Sunday at Chicago for their eighth consecutive victory.

Joe Crede and Uribe hit back-to-back solo homers with two out in the fourth inning to break a 1-1 tie. Anderson followed Uribe’s three-run shot in the sixth with a solo drive off Twin starter Carlos Silva as the White Sox completed a three-game sweep and won for the 12th time in their last 13 games.

“We already knew they upgraded that whole team, close to $100 million in payroll, and it showed this weekend,� said Minnesota’s Torii Hunter, who robbed Konerko of a two-run homer to center in the third inning.

Jose Contreras (3-0) won his 11th consecutive regular-season decision, giving up six hits in eight innings. His last loss was Aug. 15, when he gave up four runs in 6 2/3 innings.

“[We’re] facing a hot team that’s got everything going for them,� said Twin Manager Ron Gardenhire, whose team suffered its fourth consecutive loss and fell to 0-6 against the AL Central.

New York 7, Baltimore 1 -- Jason Giambi homered twice and drove in five runs, and Randy Johnson had little trouble dominating the Orioles at New York.

Johnson rebounded from a poor outing in Toronto by tossing eight innings, striking out five and walking one. He also earned his 266th win, tying Hall of Famers Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey for 33rd on the career list.

Boston 6, Toronto 3 -- David Ortiz homered and had a rare bunt single at Toronto to help the Red Sox end a three-game losing streak.

When Toronto’s defense shifted toward right field in the sixth inning, Ortiz executed a perfect bunt between the mound and third base.

Boston starter Matt Clement (2-1), who gave up three runs and seven hits, struck out four and walked two in 5 1/3 innings.

Texas 8, Tampa Bay 3 -- Mark Teixeira, Phil Nevin and Kevin Mench all homered in the third inning to lift the host Rangers.

Hank Blalock had three hits, including his fourth homer, to support rookie John Koronka (3-1), who gave up three runs and five hits in a career-high eight innings. Koronka struck out eight and gave up only one hit after the third inning.

Kansas City 5, Cleveland 1 -- Jeremy Affeldt pitched into the sixth inning at Kansas City, Mo., to earn the first victory by a Royal starter this season.

The last Kansas City starter to record a victory was J.P. Howell on Sept. 26. Before Sunday, Royal starters were 0-9 with a 6.25 earned-run average this season.

Detroit 6, Seattle 4 -- Justin Verlander pitched seven strong innings, and Craig Monroe hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning to help Tigers gain their fifth consecutive victory and complete a three-game sweep at Seattle.