MINNEAPOLIS – Jose Contreras pitched a five-hitter for his second career shutout and the Chicago White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 3-0.

A.J. Pierzynski, Ryan Sweeney and Pablo Ozuna hit RBI singles for the White Sox, who won for the fourth time in five games.

Contreras (3-4) struck out four and walked one. His other shutout was a three-hitter against Detroit on Aug. 11, 2006.

White Sox starters have lasted at least six innings in 16 consecutive starts – the longest active streak in the major leagues. Chicago finished its eight-game road trip 4-4.

Torii Hunter went 0-for-4 to end his 23-game hitting streak, tied for the fourth-best in Minnesota history. He received a standing ovation after he flied out to lead off the ninth inning.

Carlos Silva (2-3) allowed three runs and six hits in six innings.

Minnesota, which is missing reigning batting champion Joe Mauer and Rondell White to injuries, has been struggling at the plate, and Contreras took advantage.

The 35-year-old right-hander allowed just one extra-base hit – Jason Kubel’s double in the third inning – and permitted only one runner past second base.

That was in the eighth when Kubel and Luis Rodriguez started the inning with singles. With runners on second and third, Contreras escaped the jam by inducing Jason Tyner to ground out.

The White Sox took a 1-0 lead in the first when Ozuna singled, stole second and scored on Pierzynski’s sharp single.

Chicago added two more runs in the fifth, and Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire wound up getting ejected.

Rob Mackowiak was hit by a pitch, stole second and Sweeney followed with an RBI single. Sweeney later scored on a single by Ozuna.

Gardenhire argued that Sweeney was out – although right fielder Michael Cuddyer’s throw to catcher Mike Redmond was on time, replays indicated that Sweeney slid under the tag.

Plate umpire Derryl Cousins tossed Gardenhire. The ejection was Gardenhire’s second of the season and 30th of his career.

Notes: It looked as if Hunter would extend his hitting streak in the first inning when he lined a pitch up the middle. White Sox 2B Tadahito Iguchi was running over to cover second base because Nick Punto was running on the play, and caught the ball. Punto was doubled off first. … Minnesota is just 9-11 at the Metrodome this season after leading the major leagues with a 54-27 home record last season.

AP-ES-05-10-07 1542EDT