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CHICAGO -- White Sox team officials really prefer that Chris Sale’s new approach to pitching wouldn’t be talked about. The results, however, cannot be argued.

The 23-year-old left hander won his fifth game of the season on Wednesday night using a dominant fastball and a changeup to keep Minnesota hitters off balance for seven shutout innings .

“I thought I was commanding my fastball well and threw the changeup for strikes more so then I have been,” Sale said. “A.J. (Pierzynski ) knew that and used that to our advantage tonight.”

“After coming up with a sore elbow May 1, Sale was briefly put in the bullpen before a meeting with team officials on May 7 allowed him to go back into the rotation under supervision. During that meeting, it was decided that Sales pitch count and choice of pitches would be monitored by Don Cooper and manager Robin Ventura. The main pitch that was to be limited was Sale’s slider -- the pitch White Sox brass believed was causing his elbow soreness.

“ I have to give all the credit in the world to the ( training and medical ) staff,” Sale said. “We have been working with this (elbow ) and paying close attention to it to make sure it doesn’t go back where it was .”

The work that Sale referred to is a program of stretching and weight training to keep the muscles strong and fluid around the elbow. The other part of the plan is to continue to use less breaking balls that aggravate the elbow ligament.

Since changing his style, Sale has won two straight games ,pitching 12 1/3 innings, allowing 1 run and striking out 12 while walking three.

“He is really pitching well,” said Paul Konerko who had three hits Wednesday. “He is really using all of his pitches . He always has had a great fastball and slider, but he is really pitching now.”

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Chicago White Sox desperately needed a strong outing from one of their starters. Chris Sale provided it.

The 23-year-old left-hander pitched effectively into the sixth inning and the White Sox capitalized on some shoddy defense by the Los Angeles Angels for a 6-1 victory Thursday.

After a three-game stretch in which starters John Danks, Jake Peavy and Gavin Floyd gave up a combined 18 earned runs over 14 1-3 innings, Sale (4-2) restored order in his sixth major league start. He struck out seven and was working on a three-hit shutout in the sixth when he gave up a one-out homer to Albert Pujols and a double to Mark Trumbo and was replaced by Nate Jones.

"It was nice to see Chris have a good start," Chicago first baseman Paul Konerko said. "He had that little thing where he got out of the rotation for a week and missed a turn, and I think there's no question that it kind of blew his rhythm -- because he didn't have a good game last time. So it was nice to see him get it back, because he was on his way to having a great year."

Sale joined lefty Steve Rosenberg (1989) as the only White Sox pitchers to give up three runs or less in each of their first six big league starts since divisional play began in 1969.

"I guess that's a cool stat, but it's obviously something I don't pay attention to at all," Sale said. "I have a job to do, and that's to go out and keep my team in the game, keep the other team to fewer runs on the board than the other starter and pitch deep into the game. That's my main focus."

A first-round draft pick in 2010, Sale was used exclusively in relief by the White Sox during his two previous seasons in the big leagues. Two of those relief outings were against the Angels, who got to see him again during spring training.

"He did a good job today and was pretty sharp, for the most part," Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick said. "He got outs and put up zeros, and that's what you want your starter to do. He's got a good two-seam fastball, he threw strikes and was able to get guys out with his breaking ball."

C.J. Wilson (4-4) threw 88 pitches in 3 2-3 innings and tied a career high with six walks. The left-hander was charged with four runs -- one earned -- and four hits. He also walked six Marlins batters on June 15, 2010, at Miami while pitching for the Texas Rangers.

"I had a little stomach virus today, so I couldn't really get anything going," Wilson said. "It was just weird. I almost passed out after the first inning. I didn't set a good tone, and that's pretty much my fault. I put the defense to sleep out there -- and the bats, too, I guess."

A.J. Pierzynski delivered a two-out RBI single in the third to open the scoring, after flying out with the bases loaded to end the White Sox first. He was 3 for 5 with two RBI singles, and is 29 for 70 in his last 19 games at Angel Stadium.

Chicago tacked on three unearned runs in the fourth with the help of two balls that should have been caught and weren't. Angels center fielder Mike Trout started in right for the first time this season due to the absence of nine-time Gold Glove winner Torii Hunter because of his son's arrest in Texas, and dropped a routine flyball by Dyan Viciedo with one out.

Viciedo ended up at second base on the error, and Wilson walked the next two batters before Adam Dunn chased the left-hander with a two-run single. David Carpenter came in and Konerko hit a popup to short right field, but the ball fell in front of Kendrick after he called off Trout. It was scored as an RBI single.

"It was right in the sun," Kendrick said. "I made a mistake and had my sunglasses on my hat, and I should have had them on there. But I still have to make that play, regardless. We can't allow that to happen. We've got to make plays and give the team the best opportunity to win. Today we missed some flyballs, and we've got to work on that."

In the fifth, Alexei Ramirez's blooper fell between Trout and Kendrick for a hit after a leadoff single by Pierzynski. Viciedo followed with a flyball to short center, where Peter Bourjos converged with Trout and Kendrick before making the catch -- resulting in a derisive cheer from the crowd of 30,786. Carpenter then fielded Brent Morel's comebacker and started a double play.

Viciedo led off the eighth with his sixth homer and third in a four-game span. Three batters later, three-time Gold Glove winner Vernon Wells scaled the fence in front of the left field bullpen and pulled back Gordon Beckham's bid for a two-run homer.

A quick look at the Chicago White Sox's 6-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

How it happened: The White Sox knocked out Angels starter C.J. Wilson with a three-run fourth inning. Adam Dunn drove home Dayan Viciedo and Brent Morel with a single to center and Paul Konerko scored Dunn on an infield single. Chris Sale got the win, scattering five hits over 5 1/3 innings and striking out seven. The Sox bullpen shut down the Angels the rest of the way. A.J. Pierzynski drove in two runs, one in the third inning and one in the ninth, and Dayan Viciedo hit a solo shot in the eighth. Albert Pujols' home run to center was the lone run for the Angels.

What it means: The Sox split a strange two-game West Coast trip against the Angels.

Outside the box: Sale came back strong after a rocky outing Saturday in Kansas City -- his first back in the rotation after temporarily being moved to closer.

Up next: The White Sox return home to Chicago, starting the Crosstown Classic at Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon at 1:20 CT. Phil Humber (1-2, 5.77) will be on the mound for the Sox, opposing Jeff Samardzija (4-1, 2.89) for the Cubs.

STREAKING

1. Alejandro De Aza, OF: He has quietly been one of the best leadoff men in the American League, batting .286 with three home runs and 12 RBIs to go along with a .364 on-base percentage. Last week he had 12 hits and six runs scored, and he is batting .354 in May along with a .436 on-base percentage. Although you won’t see him on any SportsCenter highlights, the 28-year-old De Aza may be a diamond in the rough and a product of good scouting by the Sox. He has also played solid defense and has six stolen bases.

2. Adam Dunn, DH/1B: He is just the 14th player since 1921 to equal his previous years home run total (10 or more) in the first 33 games. Dunn had another solid week with three home runs, and has six homers and 10 RBIs in his last 12 games. Dunn, who has started mostly at designated hitter, will be challenged again next weekend as manager Robin Ventura said Sunday he will play him in leftfield against the Cubs. Dunn, whose 11 home runs are tied for second in the AL, is batting .250 with 26 RBIs. He’s also second in the league in walks (28) and has a .393 on-base percentage.

SLUMPING

1. Chris Sale, SP: Through little fault of his own, Sale had a tough week with elbow soreness and a demotion to the bullpen in which he blew a save in his first appearance. After a long conversation with Sox brass, he was elevated back to the rotation and took the loss against the Royals on Saturday, giving up three earned runs in five innings. The young left-hander, who is 3-2 with a 3.08 ERA this season, seems to be on his way back after a shaky first inning on Saturday.

2. Dayan Viciedo, LF: He has had a rough month, batting .176 with one RBI and no home runs in 12 games. He has also struck out 13 times in 34 at-bats. Viciedo went 3 for 19 in his last seven games and is batting .196 with three home runs and five RBIs this season. He may have to share time at the position with two or three others including Dunn. He is just the latest young White Sox player to struggle this season.

CHICAGO -- The slow start to Chris Sale’s outing on Saturday night was much less significant than the pitcher’s arm strength and general health on Sunday.

“It is usually Day 2 and how you feel after a start,” said Sale on Sunday. “I feel as good as I have all season, so the credit goes to our training and medical staff who have worked have on keeping me strong and flexible.”

Sale is on target to pitch again Thursday in Anaheim against the Angels.

“Learning how to deal with the process of having a minor injury was something new for me and beginning with the front office people and all the support staff I have been lucky to know they all have my best interest in mind,” Sale said.

Sale admits learning more about the art of pitching and conditioning will be key factors to future success.

“The thing you learn in this organization is that you can have a voice in what goes on,” Sale said. However, you have to trust these people who have had so much success in keeping players on the field and staying productive.”

The White Sox’s young left-hander is grateful for the open-minded way Ken Williams and the staff allowed him to stand up for himself and stay in the rotation.

“It was a fine line of showing them the respect as my superiors and standing up for what I expect from myself ,” he said. “Becoming the pitcher I want to be and being a good teammate are things I feel strongly about , and Kenny let me express that.”

After hearing how Williams, as a player, had a similar face-to-face with his GM Larry Himes in 1987, Sale had a different perspective.

“Hearing that helps me understand where (Williams ) comes from even more than before,” Sale said. “He is a very fiery person who has a lot of passion for what he does . As a competitive person myself, I can relate to his competitiveness. I didn’t know that about his past but hearing that really helps me in the process seeing that he has been there before.

Williams’ debate with Himes and manager Jim Fregosi did not end as well as Sale’s meeting .Williams was told he was being sent to the minors after an aborted attempt to make him a third baseman had failed . Williams threw one chair at the wall in Fregosi’s office, and another 10 feet out of the room before making his way to Triple-A .

CHICAGO -- Chris Sale paused for a few seconds before settling on the word “terrible” to describe the first inning of his first start since an MRI revealed no structural damage to his left elbow.

Atrocious, forgettable and doomed would also suffice when talking about Sale’s four-hit, two-walk, three-run, 42-pitch first inning that put the White Sox in a hole for good.

If the last two weeks weren’t helter-skelter enough for the 23-year-old Sale, who went from starter to closer then back to the rotation, the lefty redeemed himself in the final four innings of Saturday’s outing, allowing just three more hits while striking out two in the White Sox’s 5-0 loss to the Kansas City Royals.

“Bouncing back from that was big,” Sale said. “I kind of turned the momentum. But my mindset is different. That’s what they needed me for the first inning, too. Three out of the gate is hard for anybody. The way they were throwing the ball over, they just did a great job and I got out-pitched.”

Sale threw 66 of his 103 pitches for strikes. After the rough first inning, he was able to string together consecutive 1-2-3 innings. Sale said he was mentally and physically prepared for Saturday’s start, but ultimately it was his lack of control over his off-speed pitches that burned him. According to MLB.com, Sale began the game with nine straight fast balls before he threw his first off-speed pitch. Sale threw 19 sliders and 10 changeups on the night, a day after saying he’ll need to back off relying too heavily on his slider.

He said command of his off-speed pitches was something to work on during his side session this week.

Manager Robin Ventura said he wasn’t concerned about Sale’s high pitch count in the first inning.

“I mean you are going to let him go until he found it,” Ventura said. “It wasn’t an issue. I think for one inning, getting out there at 40 pitches is a lot for a pitcher. He would learn something out of that, being able to control it and get it back and still finish up five innings. It’s still a good effort.”

Still, Sale isn’t one to make excuses and seemed in no mood to look for a silver lining to his outing. He admitted he’s glad to be back in the rotation and put the last few weeks’ turn of events behind him but added that, “at the same time, this is a job just like it’s a business and I like to think I’m a big boy and can handle all of that and leave that stuff in here, and when I’m out there go about my business. I did that to an extent but I didn’t produce what this team needed.”

Left hander Chris Sale will make his first start since May 1 today against the Royals, two days after an MRI on his left elbow came back clean. The rest of the White Sox's lineup:

1. Alejandro De Aza - CF
2. Gordon Beckham - 2B
3. Adam Dunn - DH
4. Paul Konerko - 1B
5. A.J. Pierzynski - C
6. Alex Rios - RF
7. Alexei Ramirez - SS
8. Dayan Viciedo - LF
9. Brent Morel - 3B
SP: Chris Sale - LHP

CHICAGO -- Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Friday the closer role will be performed by a committee of pitchers depending on the game’s situation.

Chris Sale was named the White Sox’s closer on May 4 after the team decided to move him out of the starting rotation and into the bullpen due to elbow tenderness. But the Sox announced Friday that Sale will return to a starting role.

“Whoever ends up in the ninth inning,” Ventura said when asked who is closer would be. “We’re back to that. … I think it’s more of you see what they’re lined up with and go from there.”

The White Sox have used four different pitchers in save situations this season. Sale, a lefty, was used Tuesday and blew the save in his lone opportunity. Left-hander Hector Santiago picked up four saves in six opportunities, but he has allowed five home runs and has a 5.73 ERA. Matt Thornton, a lefty, has converted one save in two opportunities. Right-hander Addison Reed, who hasn’t allowed a run this season, has two saves in two chances.

“I think that’s not an easy role,” Ventura said. “With the amount of young guys we have out there, it’s not a thing we don’t monitor. You always constantly monitor them.

“We have some guys doing very well in the bullpen in the situations they’re brought in. Addison has done well. You probably look at him if they got a bunch of righties coming up. You probably look for Matty (Thornton) if there’s a bunch of lefties coming up. If there’s a mix, you might have Hector.”

General manager Ken Williams likes the multiple possibilities the White Sox have for closer as well.

“There’s a difference between evolving without talent and evolving with talent and a number of possibilities for back end of the bullpen solutions,” Williams said. “There’s a huge difference. If these guys have shown one thing, it’s that they have a very high ceiling back there. That’s one reason to give us optimism.”

CHICAGO -- Chris Sale talked his way back into the Chicago White Sox rotation by standing up to general manger Kenny Williams much the same way Williams did 25 years ago when he was demoted by GM Larry Himes.

There is a fine line between defending your position and insubordination, as many of my superiors have reminded me through my media career. In this case Sale believed the decision to send him to the bullpen was based on overreacting to a slightly strained elbow, which an MRI revealed to be clean.

”At 4 o’clock today that was the deal (going to the bullpen),” Sale said. “I was really stuck on starting. That is my passion and something I wanted to finish out doing.”

Sale boldly told Williams that he would be letting the team down if he didn’t start. In a 45-minute meeting he was able to convince his boss and the White Sox medical staff that he was healthy enough to go back into the rotation with a couple of noted restrictions. For now Sale will be limited on how many pitches he throws and what kind of pitch selection he will feature.

“(The baseball staff ) have been doing this a very long time,” Sale said. “They are very good at what they do, so I am more than willing to buy into the program. I just need to be honest and let them know how I feel on a given day.”

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CHICAGO -- An MRI on the left elbow of Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Sale came back clean, and he will start against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, general manager Kenny Williams said.

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Chicago White Sox pitcher Chris Sale will undergo an MRI on his left elbow, Sox pitching coach Don Cooper told ESPN Baseball Insider Jim Bowden on his radio show Wednesday.

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A quick look at the Chicago White Sox's 5-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians in 10 innings at Progressive Field on Tuesday night.

How it happened: Paul Konerko led off the White Sox 10th with a single to left and two batters later Alex Rios tripled to drive home pinch runner Brent Lillibridge. Rios then scored on an Alexei Ramirez groundout. Sox starter John Danks sailed through the first seven innings before the Indians finally broke through with three runs in the eighth. The Indians Carlos Santana delivered the game-tying two-RBI hit off reliever Chris Sale. The White Sox had taken a quick lead in the first when Konkero and A.J. Pierzynski each drove in a run. Pierzynski added another RBI in the seventh.

What it means: The White Sox snapped a three-game losing streak and finally got another solid outing from a starter. Danks had allowed 13 runs combined in his previous two starts.

Outside the box: It was the White Sox’s first extra-inning victory of the year. They were 0-2 in extra innings entering Tuesday’s game.

Up next: In Wednesday’s finale of the four-game set, the White Sox’s Jake Peavy (3-1, 1.99 ERA) will face the Indians’ Jeanmar Gomez (2-1, 2.82 ERA) in a 6:05 CT start.

Just two weeks ago, the Chicago White Sox starting rotation looked as solid as any in baseball.

But the staff has taken a downward turn, and Jake Peavy and Gavin Floyd have become the only two starters the White Sox have been able to consistently rely upon.

John Danks, the No. 1 starter, wasn’t throwing great early in the season, but he’s especially struggled in his last couple outings. He’s allowed 13 runs in his last two starts, and his ERA has risen to 6.51. Danks has traditionally pitched his worst in April and May, but it still has to be concerning.

No one expected Philip Humber, the No. 5 starter, to pitch again like he did when he threw a perfect game on April 21, but he also wasn’t expected to struggle as much as he has since then. Humber has allowed 20 runs and 11 walks in his last three outings since the perfect game. He was roughed up for eight runs in Monday’s loss to the Cleveland Indians. His ERA jumped to 6.83.

Chris Sale, who had been the No. 4 starter, had pitched well through his first five starts this season after being a reliever last season. He was 3-1 with a 2.81 ERA this season. But on Friday, the White Sox announced Sale would move to the closer role because of tenderness in his elbow. While the change should strengthen the bullpen, it will also likely weaken the starting rotation.

Dylan Axelrod took his first shot at Sale’s spot when he made his first start of the season on Sunday, allowing six hits, two runs and two walks in 4 1/3 innings.

And then there’s Floyd and Peavy, who are keeping the staff together.

Floyd, the No. 3 starter, had a couple of so-so starts earlier in the season, but he’s bounced back nicely, allowing a total of four runs, three walks and 21 strikeouts in his last three outings. He has a 3.03 ERA on the season.

Peavy, the No. 2 starter, has been the most consistent pitcher. After battling a variety of injuries since his arrival to the White Sox in 2009, the former Cy Young winner has looked like his old self this season. He hasn’t allowed more than three runs in any outing. He’s 3-1 with a 1.99 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in six starts.

Floyd and Peavy provide the White Sox with two dependable pitchers, but they’re going to need more from their starting rotation if they’re going compete for anything this season.

The Chicago White Sox are moving Chris Sale, who's been one of the more effective starters in the American League, from the rotation to the closer role, the team announced Friday.

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It might be a little early to start handing out All-Star ballots, but Chicago White Sox starter Chris Sale is certainly opening up some eyes around the American League. Sale won his third game of the season on Tuesday, allowing just one run in six innings in a 7-2 victory over Cleveland.

The young left-hander was more excited about teammate Gordon Beckham's breakout three-hit game than his third win of the season.

“That was probably the [most fun] part of the game tonight watching Gordon go off,” Sale said. “He was taking good at-bats, taking good swings. Yeah, I think we got him back.”

Before the game manager Robin Ventura confirmed his belief in both Beckham and third baseman Brent Morel, who have been slumping with the bat since the season began. Ventura did say that at some point both needed to begin producing in order to remain starters.

“He swung it well,” Ventura said. “That’s just a part of believing in himself and that he keeps working at it. It’s just nice to see that it does pay off and that he hasn’t gone down that path of not believing in himself.”

Beckham not only hit his first home run of the season, he broke out of an 0-for-10 slump and doubled his RBI output from two to four. Beckham pointed to a good at-bat on Saturday night that may have jump started his offensive outburst on Tuesday.

“I battled in that at-bat,” Beckham said. “I didn’t feel great and knew that the game was on the line and did not give in, so that definitely was a good at-bat.”

A.J. Pierzynski started the White Sox scoring with his fifth home run of the season in the second inning of off Indians starter Ubaldo Jimenez. Much like his teammates, Pierzynski was excited for Beckham.

“April is over and he and Albert Pujois went homer-less in April,” Pierzynski joked. “It was nice to see him get his first one out of the way. That should help him relax and use the whole field.”

With a record of 12-11 the Sox are in a three-way tie for first place in the AL Central with the Tigers and the Indians.