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CHICAGO (AP) – Jerry Manuel isn't one of those fiery managers who rips his players or calls team meetings every week, so when he says something, the Chicago White Sox tend to listen.
"His meeting was about capitalizing on situations, and I think he got his point across," said David Wells, who was masterful, allowing only one run and five hits in nine innings. "Going in, I thought we were going to get our butts chewed out, but he went the opposite way and it paid off. We won the game." But it took awhile. With one out in the 11th and the game tied since the second inning, former Sox reliever Chad Bradford (0-1) was brought in to face Konerko. Konerko had been 0-for-4 for the night, including a big swinging strikeout in the sixth with runners on first and second. But he sent Bradford's 2-2 rocketing over the left-field wall, setting off fireworks and high fives among the White Sox. "We're not too happy," Konerko said. "It's kind of like when a hitter's in a slump. When you're 0-for-20 and you get a hit, you're still kind of mad. It's like, 'Geez, it's about time."' Keith Foulke (1-2) gave up only two walks in two scoreless innings. Jose Valentin hit a solo homer in the first for Chicago, but Terrence Long tied it up in the second with a leadoff home run. "No, this is not what I envisioned," Manuel said after the three-hour, 48-minute marathon. "But I did mention that no matter how long it takes, it's important to win this one." After winning the AL Central last year, the White Sox were expected to be one of the AL's best teams. Instead, they've struggled. They came into Wednesday's game on a four-game losing streak, and had lost eight of their last 10. While everyone insisted they weren't panicking, Manuel thought it was a good time for one of his fireside chats. "We just tried to put the emphasis back where it belonged, and that's on the field," he said before the game. "I just didn't feel we were challenging the opposition more than we were challenging ourselves. That's what we need to get back to, challenging the opposition." And the White Sox got the message. Sort of. Wells was simply stifling, holding the A's scoreless for the last seven innings and putting a quick end to any Oakland threat. But he didn't get any support from his teammates. Oakland starter Cory Lidle retired 12 straight from the second inning to the sixth, and the White Sox stranded a total of seven. "We've still got to swing the bats a lot better," Manuel said. "We have to find some way to get more bats in our lineup so that we don't waste a good outing like David Wells had tonight." But Oakland's offensive woes were even worse. The A's stranded 10, including runners in scoring positions in the sixth, seventh and ninth innings. "We had three opportunities to win this game," Long said. "In this game, you have to take those opportunities. This game should've been over an hour ago." In the sixth, Jason Giambi walked with two outs and raced to third on Long's liner up the gap. But Wells struck Adam Piatt out with four pitches to end the inning. In the seventh, Wells had runners at first and third with only one out. But he struck out Mario Valdez -- needing only four pitches again -- and Johnny Damon's broken-bat hit went right back to Wells, who snagged it for the third out. In the ninth, Tejada singled and stole second, and Wells intentionally walked Ramon Hernandez. But Valdez grounded out to first, ending yet another threat. "If we go out tomorrow and win again, this could turn into a momentum builder," Manuel said. "And hopefully for a long time." Game notesKonerko's homer extended his hitting streak to eight games. He's reached base safely in all 18 games he's played. ... Royce Clayton, acquired in the offseason, continued to struggle, going 0-for-3. He was booed after striking out with a man on second in the seventh inning. ... The A's have faced 13 left-handed pitchers so far, most of any team in the majors. They'll see another one Thursday with Jim Parque starting for the White Sox.  Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
| OTHER GAMES Baseball Scoreboard Oakland Clubhouse Chi. White Sox Clubhouse RECAPS Minnesota 6 Boston 4
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