by By Scot Gregor sgregor@dailyherald.com , Chicago Daily Herald

"I think that?s the best performance I?ve seen in a long time by any major-league pitcher," Guillen said after Greinke (6-0) stymied the Sox while pitching his third complete game (and second shutout) of the young season.

"It reminded me of when we came here one day (in 1991) and (Bret) Saberhagen threw a no-hitter," Guillen told reporters. "I think this kid?s got better stuff than Bret at that particular time. When you?re throwing breaking balls behind in the count for strikes and then throwing 96 (mph) for strikes. ... To me, he?s the best in the league right now."

While going the distance, Greinke scattered 6 hits and struck out 10. Oh yeah, the right-hander also lowered his ERA to 0.40.

"It was real exciting," Greinke said. "Definitely my favorite game of the year, if not ever."

Said Guillen: "I always loved this kid. I always thought he had great stuff and I always thought it was a shame he wasn?t winning that many games."

Greinke, the sixth overall pick in the 2002 draft, was always pointed toward major-league stardom. But the right-hander struggled in 2004-05, going a combined 13-28 with Kansas City before missing most of 2006 with personal problems.

Last season, Greinke finally started putting it together while going 13-10 with a 3.47 ERA for the upstart Royals. The success has obviously carried over into this season.

"It doesn?t surprise me what he?s doing right now at all," Guillen said after the White Sox dropped their third straight. "He?s that good, and now he?s believing in himself. I tip my hat.

"You don?t want to see it happen against you, but Baseball needs people like that. And for me to give credit to somebody, it takes a lot."

The Sox didn?t do much against Greinke until the eighth inning, when A.J. Pierzynski and Alexei Ramirez reached on consecutive singles.

Instead of rallying from the 3-0 deficit, Scott Podsednik grounded into a double play and pinch-hitter Wilson Betemit struck out.

Sox starter Bartolo Colon (2-2) worked 5 innings and allowed 3 runs on 7 hits while throwing 98 pitches.

"Colon was good," Guillen said. "He just competed against the wrong guy."

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