Adam Dunn will sub for Carlos Quentin in right for White Sox

Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, left, gets congratulations from third base coach Jeff Cox after hitting a sixth-inning home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during a baseball game on Saturday, June 18, 2010, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Updated: June 21, 2011 9:17AM

PHOENIX — Count Adam Dunn among those who could do without interleague play. It forced him out of the lineup for a second straight day Saturday, just as he was beginning to have a better feel at the plate.

‘‘It’s why I hate interleague,’’ Dunn said. ‘‘I hate it. I’m feeling so good again . . . I don’t know what you do. It’s crazy.’’

Manager Ozzie Guillen said after the game Saturday that Dunn will play right field today in place of Carlos Quentin. Dunn has been taking fly balls in the outfield because of the possibility of getting starts there.

Dunn admits he never envisioned being benched because of DH-less games in National League parks.

‘‘You don’t think about this kind of stuff until it gets here,’’ he said.

First baseman Paul Konerko is the only Sox player hitting with consistency of late, so Guillen changed his mind about giving him today off and will keep him in the lineup. Guillen said he’s willing to sacrifice defense for offense and made the surprise move by putting Dunn in right. Quentin has one hit in his last 13 at-bats.

Playing it safe

Struggling Juan Pierre sat out against Arizona Diamondbacks lefty Zach Duke but likely will play today. Pierre hasn’t attempted to steal much lately, Guillen said, because ‘‘I want to see how the team functions without the running game. The running game wasn’t working. It was killing us. So I stopped it a little bit.’’

Guillen is a big supporter of Pierre and respects his work ethic, but there seems to be mounting support for Dayan Viciedo to bring his hot bat from Class AAA Charlotte and perhaps move into the starting lineup.

Asked about that possibility, general manager Ken Williams said in a text message: ‘‘Ask Ozzie. He wants Pierre in his lineup, and as I always have, I support his feel for what he needs.’’

Peavy feeling fine

Right-hander Jake Peavy (groin) reported no issues after his minor-league rehab start for Charlotte on Thursday. He expects to start Wednesday against the Cubs.

‘‘I feel all right,’’ Peavy said. ‘‘Everything went smooth . . . the groin feels pretty good. I’m still going to get treatment on it and stay on top of it and hopefully not flare up. But I came out of it with no problems, as I expected.’’

Double-icious

Alexei Ramirez’s double, which helped the Sox score the first run Saturday, was his 16th in his last 36 games. Ramirez led the majors with 14 doubles in May.

‘‘He’s starting to learn the league,’’ Guillen said. ‘‘He doesn’t swing at as many bad pitches the way he used to. He’s more patient and more experienced at the plate. That will help him.’’

Guillen moved Ramirez from second to fifth in the order while moving Brent Morel from ninth to second. Ramirez responded by going 3-for-4 to raise his average
to .298.

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