Contreras allows 1 hit, Chisox win 6-0 over Tigers

[June 09, 2009]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Jose Contreras allowed one hit in eight strong innings in his return to the majors Monday night, getting his first win in nearly a year as the Chicago White Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 6-1 to earn a split in their day-night doubleheader.

Alexei Ramirez, Scott Podsednik and Jim Thome homered for the White Sox in the second game after Detroit won the opener 5-4 as Brandon Inge hit a go-ahead RBI single in the ninth.

Contreras (1-5), officially recalled from Triple-A between games, ruptured his Achilles tendon last August. He made a quick recovery but struggled when he returned this season and on May 10 was sent to Charlotte, where he made five starts.

The 37-year-old Contreras allowed a two-out double to Clete Thomas in the first and had two stretches of 11 straight batters retired in earning his first win since June 27, 2008. He walked one and struck out three.

Chicago's three homers came off Detroit's Jeremy Bonderman (0-1), who was making his first major league appearance since June 1, 2008 and was activated from the disabled list between games. Bonderman had surgery June 30 last year to correct a condition that caused a blood clot in his pitching arm.

He lasted four-innings plus, gave up eight hits and was charged with six runs.

Ramirez homered in the first, Podsednik hit his first of the season in the second and Thome drove out the 551st of his career, a two-run shot in the third for a 4-0 lead.

Marcus Thames homered off reliever Matt Thornton in the ninth for Detroit's lone run.

In the opener, Inge singled home the go-ahead run shortly after an error on Chicago third baseman Josh Fields in a loss that had White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen fuming.

"I was basically just trying not to strike out," Inge said.

Miguel Cabrera reached on Fields' error with one out. Thames followed with an infield single off shortstop Alexei Ramirez's glove.

Inge then grounded a single into left field off Scott Linebrink (2-3), scoring pinch-runner Josh Anderson from second base.

The fielding gaffe in the ninth wasn't what had Guillen stewing. He was more upset about his team's inability to move runners and get down bunts.

"If this was the 1980s, (none) of these guys would be in the big leagues right now, because if you hit .210-.230 and you can't execute, I don't think you should be out here," Guillen said.

"When you can't bunt, hit-and-run, squeeze and move the guy over, you better hit 40 home runs and drive in 140."

He didn't name names, but the White Sox manager was visibly upset.

"Somebody has to change because if we don't do what we're supposed to do, I'll take the blame because that's my job," Guillen said.

" ... We're not doing it. We got excited here and there. After that, it was a boring game. Really, really, really bad baseball games. Terrible the way the guys played the game."

Fernando Rodney worked the ninth for his 11th save in as many chances for the AL Central leaders with Inge starting a game-ending double play at third.

Fields, whose playing time could be cut with the arrival of rookie Gordon Beckham, offered no excuses.

"It was just a ball we work on all the time," he said. "You are supposed to field with your glove and transfer it over. I tried to go with both hands and that's where you get the bobble."

Paul Konerko led off the bottom of the eighth against Joel Zumaya (3-0) with his eighth homer, a line shot over the fence in left that tied it at 4.

Detroit starter Armando Galarraga, looking to snap a six-game losing streak, went 6 2-3 innings. He allowed seven hits, including a two-run homer by Jermaine Dye, and left with a 4-3 lead.

Curtis Granderson's RBI single off Chicago reliever D.J. Carrasco in the sixth put the Tigers ahead 4-3. Dye's 15th homer made it 3-all.

Chicago starter Clayton Richard lost his control in the fifth with two outs. Magglio Ordonez singled before Richard walked three straight batters, including Inge to force in a run, and put Detroit ahead 3-1.

Konerko's bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the first following two walks and a leadoff single by Podsednik gave the White Sox a 1-0 lead.

But the Tigers got it back quickly in the second against Richard. After Dye leaped high against the fence in right-center field to take a potential home run away from Thames, Inge doubled. A walk and wild pitch put runners at the corners before Adam Everett hit an RBI single and Dane Sardinha had a sacrifice fly for a 2-1 lead.

Notes: Podsednik hit his first homer since May 31, 2008, while with the Rockies.

[Associated Press; By RICK GANO]

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