Buehrle does his part to restore order

Mark Buehrle waved his cap as the crowd stood and cheered him, some chanting his name. Manager Ozzie Guillen gave him a hug, and now everyone will wait to see if it was the left-hander’s final game for the Chicago White Sox.

“I’d say it’s probably 50-50. You never know what is going to happen,” Buehrle said Saturday after pitching eight strong innings and leading the White Sox past the Minnesota Twins, 3-1.

The White Sox’s victory came a day after they were pummeled in a day-night doubleheader by the Twins, losing 20-14 and 12-0 -- the most runs they’d given up in consecutive games since 1930.

Buehrle (6-4) yielded six hits over eight scoreless innings to a Twins team that had 36 hits in the two games Friday, including eight homers.

“He controls the game. He’s like the quarterback out there,” Minnesota’s Torii Hunter said. “He’s in and out, hitting spots. He works fast. ... Quick games.”

How would Buehrle rate the progress he’s making with the only organization he’s ever played for?

“I’d probably say a little more discouraging that encouraging, but you know things are where they’re at. And let’s see where the next step takes us,” Buehrle said.

Buehrle, who can be a free agent after the season, had reportedly reached agreement on years (four) and money ($56 million) for a contract extension with the White Sox. But those negotiations had stalled because the team won’t give him a complete no-trade clause.

“Like I said, we’ll just take it from here and see where it goes,” Buehrle said without elaborating.