Contreras’ strikingly good outing big plus for bullpen

The most impressive number for Jose Contreras was 67.

That was the percentage of strikes Contreras threw Saturday that enabled him to last seven innings, keeping the White Sox within striking distance in their 5-3 comeback victory over the Cubs.

It also allowed the bullpen to remain fresh if it’s needed to help rookie Brandon McCarthy in Sunday’s series finale at Wrigley Field.

“I felt strong, so I used my fastball a lot,” said Contreras, who allowed only four singles.

He didn’t issue a walk until Aramis Ramirez drew one with one out in the seventh.

Contreras redeemed himself after laboring in his last two outings. A warning issued to both teams after Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano hit two batters in the top of the fourth inning didn’t seem to affect Contreras.

“I’m prepared to pitch in big games,” Contreras said, recalling his days facing the Boston Red Sox while pitching for the New York Yankees.

Konerko in clutch

Paul Konerko’s clutch two-run single in the eighth arguably was the Sox’s best at-bat of the season.

Konerko worked reliever Michael Wuertz to a full count, barely missed getting a hit on a drive that landed about 1½ feet foul and then whacked a drive that hit the outstretched glove of center fielder Corey Patterson before landing safely.

“I had a good feeling [Wuertz] would stay with a slider,” said Konerko, whose hit gave the Sox a 2-1 lead.

“If he walks me, then he starts over.”

Said manager Ozzie Guillen: “His average (.219) isn’t what it was. But his homers (10) and RBIs (32) are outstanding. I think we had the right guy in the right place.”

Konerko improved his lifetime average against the Cubs to .322.

Extra innings

Guillen said center fielder Aaron Rowand probably wouldn’t start Sunday, with Scott Podsednik moving to center, Jermaine Dye returning to right and Carl Everett shifting from right to left field. … Sox general manager Ken Williams stressed that rehabbing Frank Thomas isn’t likely to play first base in interleague games at Colorado and San Diego. …

Guillen and his traveling party arrived Saturday without a problem.

“I asked for directions,” Guillen said, one day after the car he was riding in got lost. “You go to Belmont to Addison to Wrigley Field.”