Plauderecke » snow piles and a frozen field earlier this

CHICAGO -- Paul Konerko will likely be watching from the bench for the start of what figures to be his 16th and final opening day with the Chicago White Sox And the 38-year-old first baseman is comfortable with that decision, which ends a streak of 15 consecutive opening-day starts. Konerkos new role is as a right-handed-hitting platoon player at designated hitter. With Minnesota starting right-hander Ricky Nolasco, left-handed-hitting Adam Dunn will start. "I just think its the way it should be," Konerko said Sunday as both teams conducted voluntary workouts. "Its just not part of the blueprint of what were going to do here. ... Its pretty simple. Theres a plan and roles of when guys play and when they dont." A six-time All-Star, Konerko agreed in December to a $2.5 million, one-year contract. White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Konerko made the choice to stay with the platoon. "In talking to Paulie, its not an easy decision," Ventura said, "but when you go over how youre going to do this and make this work, he made it clear this is kind of what he signed up to do." Left-hander Chris Sale starts for the White Sox. He was surprised by Konerkos decision but said he respected it. "I think he should be out there," Sale said. "What hes done for this city, what hes done for this team, who hes been throughout his career, I think hes earned that. But what he says, goes." Starting his second White Sox opener, Sale faces Nolasco in only the third time opening-day meeting between the teams and the first since 1993. After a lengthy and severe Chicago winter, Mondays forecast calls for partly sunny skies and a 65-degree temperature. The White Sox are coming off a 63-99 season, their poorest record since 1970. Their projected lineup features five players making their opening-day debuts, including Cuban slugger Jose Abreu, who signed a $68 million, six-year contract. "I dont really know where Im going to be hitting, but it doesnt matter," Abreu said through a translator. "To be honest with you, thats irrelevant. Im ready to hit wherever they put me. Im here to help the team." Minnesota (66-96) committed $73 million to sign Nolasco (13-11 for Miami and the Los Angeles Dodgers) and Phil Hughes in an effort to rebuild its pitching. "Its important to get off to a good start," Nolasco said. "I know theyve been struggling the last couple years, but weve been working hard as a staff trying to go out there do quick, efficient innings, get us back in the dugout and try to swing the bats." Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Nolasco is ready for the season. "Rickys game on," he said. "Im not worried about him one bit. Hell go until he tells us hes tired. Hes very sure of what he needs to do to win." Despite snow piles and a frozen field earlier this month, Roger Bossards groundskeepers got the playing surface ready at U.S. Cellular Field. 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Huntington doesnt want to help run the club unless Hurdle is in the dugout. The combination thats returned the franchise to respectability will remain intact for years to come.MIAMI - A.J. Burnett threw almost as many balls as strikes. He laboured through a long first inning, fumed about a tight strike zone and tossed a water cooler when he came out of the game. His 150th career victory was a tough one. Burnett lasted five innings and three relievers completed a harrowing six-hitter, helping the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Miami Marlins 6-5 Tuesday night. As Phils manager Ryne Sandberg said, Burnett battled. "Im tired of hearing the word battled," Burnett said with a smile. "But its the truth, so youve got to say it." Although the veteran right-hander has been less than sharp in several starts, hes 3-3 with a 3.32 ERA. "Ive been able to make a pitch here or there to minimize the damage," he said. That was the case all night for the Phillies, who gave up eight bases on balls. Jonathan Papelbon walked two and gave up an RBI single by Garrett Jones in the ninth before retiring Jarrod Saltalamacchia for the final out and his 12th save in 13 chances. Jimmy Rollins homered for the second game in a row to put the Phillies ahead to stay. They began the night ranked 26th in the majors in homers, but theyve hit seven in the past three games — all wins — while scoring 26 runs. Burnett doubled for his first extra-base hit since 2005 and scored. John Mayberry Jr. hit for him in the sixth and delivered a two-out, two-run single. Mayberry has seven RBIs in nine at-bats as a pinch hitter this year. The victory provided some consolation for the Phillies, who learned Tuesday that ace Cliff Lee will be sidelined at least a couple of weeks with a mild elbow strain. Burnett, who pitched for the Marlins from 1999 to 2005, won his first start at Marlins Park despite struggling with his command. He walked four and needed 96 pitches to get through five innings, but he departed with a 4-3 lead. The Phillies said umpire Will Littles strike zone was part of the problem. "It makes you wonder how many years youve got to pitch to get a call," Burnett said. "They were very, very close, but you put it behind you." Marlins manager Mike Redmond failed to do that, and hee was ejected in the sixth inning when he complained from the dugout after Adeiny Hechavarria was called out on strikes.dddddddddddd After getting tossed by Little, Redmond ran onto the field to continue the argument, and his tantrum turned comical when he kicked dirt and dragged his foot through the batters box to indicate he thought the pitch was inside. "I tried to be patient," Redmond said, "but at the end of the day I couldnt watch anymore." Anthony DeSclafani (1-1) allowed five runs in 5 1-3 innings. He was making the second start of his career for Marlins ace Jose Fernandez, who is out for at least a year with an elbow injury that required surgery. The game marked the start of a six-game homestand for the Marlins, who lost at Marlins Park for the first time since May 3. They still have the best home record in the majors at 17-6. Phillies third baseman Cody Asche committed an error in the eighth when he dropped a pop foul hit by Saltalamacchia. On the next pitch, Saltalamacchia hit an RBI single to cut the Phils lead to 6-4. That put runners at first and third with none out, but Mike Adams retired the next three batters. "We had tons of opportunities — chances to score, add on runs," Redmond said. "Some contact would have driven in some runs." Phillies centre fielder Tony Gwynn Jr. made a running back-to-the-plate catch near the 418-foot sign to rob the Marlins of a run in the fourth. Burnett doubled with two out in the fifth and scored on Rollins sixth homer to put the Phils up 4-3. The Phils scored twice in the first on a run-scoring double by Ryan Howard and an RBI groundout by Marlon Byrd. Burnett threw 35 pitches in the first and gave up two runs. Casey McGehee hit an RBI single, and Marcell Ozuna walked on a two-out, 3-2 pitch with the bases loaded. NOTES: Redmonds ejection was his first this season. ... The game took 3:30, longest of the year at Marlins Park. ... The Phillies began a stretch of 41 games in 41 days. ... Phillies RHP Kyle Kendrick (0-4, 3.96 ERA) tries for his first victory Wednesday against RHP Nathan Eovaldi (2-2, 3.62 ERA). 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