Catching any big-league pitcher is still fun for Jamie Burke. But it is a real treat to handle someone as efficient as Mark Buehrle.
“It’s fun,” Burke said. “It’s amazing how you go out there and you have all the confidence in the world with the guy. He’s hitting all his spots, working fast and throwing strikes. It is fun.”
Buehrle breezed through the Texas Rangers in a 7-3 victory Thursday night. He allowed two homers but only one other hit as the Sox won the series three games to one. They moved to three games above .500, eight games behind Minnesota in the American League Central.
With only 19,384 fans at Ameriquest Field, the Sox answered with a three-run homer by Joe Crede and a two-run homer by Paul Konerko, both off starter Chris Young (1-2). Konerko’s home run was his 36th, which moves him within two of Manny Ramirez for the AL lead.
Buehrle (14-8) faced only 31 batters in a complete game. He retired 15 of the last 16 hitters he faced, including the final eight.
“I had everything working,” Buehrle said. “My curveball was working. My cutter was probably working better than it has all year. It was just one of those things where I could throw all of my pitches and hit my spots.”
