Games
| Recap | |||||
| Thome, Konerko power White Sox to win over Rangers CHI WHITE SOX 9, TEXAS 7 |
|||||
ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- Jim Thome and Paul Konerko hit back-to-back home runs in the eighth inning to lead the Chicago White Sox to a 9-7 triumph over the Texas Rangers on Saturday night. All-Star Carlos Quentin drove in a pair of runs and John Danks (7-4) pitched effectively into the eighth for the White Sox, who avoided their third straight loss. Texas All-Star Ian Kinsler delivered an RBI double in the eighth to extend his hitting streak to 24 games, the longest run in the major leagues this season. "It was an ugly game," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "We left 14 guys on base tonight and didn't have all the clutch hitting when we needed it. But I guess I'd rather leave people on base than not get them on in the first place because there is not a day you can come into this park when it's not going to be a tough game." Thome, who finished with four RBI, blasted a two-run shot - his 18th homer of the season - over the center field wall in the eighth to give Chicago a 7-2 advantage. Konerko followed with a solo blast to left, his ninth homer of the season and fourth hit of the night. It was the fourth time the season the White Sox have hit back-to-back home runs. "I felt good in the game," Konerko said. "Tonight, I was able to take what I do in batting practice into the game. We were able to manufacture some runs and it felt great to be a presence out there." The White Sox broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth with a three-run rally. Quentin delivered a two-run single and, one batter later, Thome hit an RBI double open up a 5-2 lead. It proved to be enough offense for Danks, who won his fourth consecutive decision. The lefthander gave up four runs and seven hits with no walks and eight strikeouts. "I felt I made some good pitches tonight and having some runs on the board definitely helped," Danks said. "My slider was good, especially early and I might have thrown it too much to the lefties but when I tried to mix it up, I got in a little trouble." It was the second time Danks has faced his former organization and his first career victory against Texas. He owns the lowest ERA (2.67) of any starting pitcher not going to the All-Star Game. "Danks had command of all three of his pitches," said Kinsler, who was a minor league teammate of Danks. "He's always been tough on lefties and he's got the righthanders figured out. He got me out a couple of times tonight and was tough." The Rangers rallied for five runs in the final two innings, but it was too little, too late. Rookie Chris Davis started a three-run outburst in the ninth with an RBI triple, but Josh Hamilton grounded out to end the game. "I had people before the homestand asking me how I thought we'd do with two first-place teams (the Angels and White Sox) coming in," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "We took the Angels on and split the series and now we're even with Chicago going into the final game. This team is going to surprise some people." Hamilton had two hits and a pair of RBI for Texas. The All-Star outfielder has driven in a run in eight straight games, collecting two RBI in each of his last five contests. All-Star Milton Bradley belted a solo homer to open the scoring in the second, extending his hitting streak against the Chicago White Sox to 24 games dating to 2002. It was his 18th blast of the campaign. "They're a dangerous team," Guillen said. "The first four guys in the batting order are All-Stars and the kids under them can really hit as well." Kevin Millwood (6-5) took the loss for the Rangers, snapping a streak of six consecutive wins at home dating back to last season. "I walked too many guys tonight," Millwood said. "I'd rather give up a hit than a walk but adding the two together makes things much worse. It's good that we played well and had a huge comeback from where we were early but I want to contribute more." |
|||||
| Free Sports Scores and Odds by Phone - All New Numbers! | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
Disclaimer
