White Sox 6, Rockies 4 (10 innings): Pierre powers comeback

If Paul Konerko can't do it, Juan Pierre sure can.

As crazy as that sounds, today it was true. Twice.

After Konerko grounded into a fielder's choice with the bases loaded, Pierre picked him up with a two-run single off the wall in right to give the White Sox a come-from-behind victory.

Reliever Clayton Mortensen didn't deserve to be let off the hook. He gave up a double to Alexei Ramirez to start the inning, and A.J. Pierzynski reached on an infield single. Gordon Beckham came to the plate to bunt them over, but it wasn't a good one. Mortensen had time to pick it up and get the out at third, but in the rush to complete Step 2, he forgot Step 1.

That loaded the bases for Konerko, who got into a 3-1 count before hitting a dribbler to third that resulted in a force at the plate. Pierre was up for switching roles, because when he got a 2-1 fastball, he drilled it over the head of Seth Smith in right to give the Sox their first lead of the game in the 10th inning.

Sergio Santos nailed it down for his 17th save.

Pierre actually drove in the final three runs, because he delivered a game-tying sac fly in the eighth after Paul Konerko was intentionally walked to load the bases. It was deep enough to drive in A.J. Pierzynski, and without requiring a mistake by the defense to boot.

In the process, Pierre picked up Jake Peavy, who was nearly broken in the first by a three-run homer by Troy Tulowitzki on the 12th pitch of the at-bat. Peavy ended up throwing 29 pitches in the first inning, but he was able to last six innings in an ill-advised start.

For the first two-thirds of this game, the Sox seemed only able to score on Colorado mistakes. They did get a run back in the second, but only because Aaron Cook threw a wild pitch after loading the bases with two walks and a hit-by-pitch. Otherwise, Cook kept the White Sox off the board due in large part to three double plays.

Once Cook left the game, the Sox woke up. Gordon Beckham hit a solo shot off Rafael Betancourt to lead off the seventh, and they started resembling a major-league offense afterward.

Credit another fine effort by the bullpen. Will Ohman (who struck out Todd Helton with a runner on third and one out), Chris Sale and winning pitcher Jesse Crain held Colorado scoreless for three innings, giving their offense a chance to climb back into it.

Notes:

*Pierre also stole a base, and Pierzynski threw out a runner at second.

Record: 40-42 | Box score | Play-by-play