Konerko’s 3 homers overwhelm Tribe

CHICAGO (AP) — Paul Konerko hit a career-high three home runs, including a go-ahead grand slam in the sixth inning, to lead the Chicago White Sox to a 10-6 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night.

Konerko, who drove in a career-high seven RBIs, became the 12th player in White Sox history to hit three homers in a game.

After being selected to his fourth All-Star game on Sunday, White Sox starter Mark Buehrle (9-2) allowed three runs and scattered seven hits in seven innings. He struck out three and allowed just one walk.

Alexei Ramirez added a two-run home run for the White Sox in the seventh inning, who have won 15 of their last 21 games.

Trailing 3-1 in the sixth inning, Ramirez doubled with one out off Indians starter Jeremy Sowers (2-7) and advanced to third on Jermaine Dye’s single. Sowers’ night ended when he walked Jim Thome to load the bases.

Then Konerko greeted Indians reliever Chris Perez by hitting his second homer of the game on a 2-0 fastball into the left field seats. It was his eighth career grand slam.

Later in the inning, Gordon Beckham hit an RBI double to center to put Chicago up 6-3.

After getting a loud standing ovation before his at-bat in the seventh, Konerko hit a two-run home run into the White Sox bullpen in left for his 16th of the season. He also tagged Sowers for a solo shot in the second inning. Konerko has 24 multi-homer games in his career.

Jose Valentin was the last White Sox to hit three home runs in a game on July 30, 2003.

Sowers allowed four runs and five hits in 51‚Ñ3 innings. He struck out four and walked two.

Grady Sizemore homered twice and Shin-Soo Choo added a solo shot for Cleveland. Sizemore homered on a 3-1 pitch off Buehrle in the first inning.

In the fourth inning, Choo doubled and scored on Travis Hafner’s RBI single.

With two outs in the sixth, Choo hit his 13th homer of the season to center.

Sizemore hit a two-run homer of White Sox D.J. Carrasco in the eighth inning for his 13th season Jamey Carroll added an RBI single off Aaron Poreda in the ninth.

Konerko is the third player to hit three homers in a game this season. Angels OF Torii Hunter did it on June 13 and Dodgers OF Andre Ethier accomplished it on June 26.

The White Sox made a trade before the game, acquiring reliever Tony Pena from the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor league infielder Brandon Allen. Pena was 5-3 with a 4.24 ERA in 37 games for the Diamondbacks this season.

White Sox general manager Ken Williams said he may not be able to make a big trade this season because of smaller crowds at U.S. Cellular Field.

Williams also said he is unsure of right-hander Bartolo Colon’s location ahead of a planned rehab start for Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday. Colon is on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his left knee.

Williams nearly pulled off a significant trade in May, putting together a deal to acquire Jake Peavy from the San Diego Padres. But the 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner used his no-trade clause to torpedo the agreement.

But the general manager cited slumping attendance as a reason the White Sox may not be able to pull off another big move that would add salary to the team’s payroll.

“Well, if I’m being completely honest money is more of the issue now. We expected a little more support than we’ve gotten,” he said.