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For the second consecutive day, the White Sox starter gave up six runs. Unfortunately, the bullpen didn’t shut out the Twins the rest of the way and the Sox bats fell a run short, resulting in a 7-6 loss in the series finale. Jake Peavy, who was supposed to be the team’s ace, but has turned into much more of a wild card, took the loss. Jason Frasor is the reliever who gave up what proved to be the winning run.

There were a few highlights on the offensive side of the ledger. Dayan Viciedo had another two-hit game, going 2 for 4, which begs the question of why wasn’t he brought up sooner? Paul Konerko continued his season of excellence with a 2 for 4 day. And Brent Lillibridge transformed into Lillibeast again, smashing his 13th home run, a two-run shot. His performance begs the question of why did Ozzie pinch hit Adam Dunn for him in the ninth inning? Don’t give me lefty-righty percentages as the answer; Dunn is not hitting well enough from either side of the plate to pinch hit in such an important situation – and of course, he struck out.

One interesting box score entry occurred. The Sox used a pitcher as the Designated Hitter. After Paulie got on in the ninth, pitcher Zach Stewart ran for him and replaced him in the lineup, becoming the DH. There’s no way he would have batted in that spot had the game gone into extra innings, but it’s a nice little box score anomaly.

The Tigers, meanwhile, showed why they’re in first place. Former Sox scrub Wilson Betemit doubled in the eighth to drive in the go-ahead run and lead Detroit to a 5-4 win over KC. Part of the Nick Swisher trade with the Yankees, Betemit drove in a total of three runs for the Sox in 20 games in 2009. This year, since being traded to the Tigers, and after today’s heroics, he’s got 13 RBIs in 28 games.

Well, it’s off to the Tigers’ den for a three-game series. Anything less than a sweep (now that the Sox are 6.0 games out and Detroit’s Magic Number is 22) will likely prove fatal to the Good Guys’ chances. So Go Sox!