White Sox beat Mariners 4-0 for second straight
The Chicago White Sox are back on track after slipping slightly after the All-Star break and easily beat the Seattle Mariners Tuesday night 4-0. White Sox starter John Danks, relief pitcher J.J. Putz and closer Bobby Jenks combined for a two-hit night, both given up by Danks, who also struck out eight and walked four. The White Sox are 52-41 and gained ground in their lead on the AL Central, three and a half games up on the Detroit Tigers and the Minnesota Twins. The Mariners are now 36-58 after the loss and fell to 19 games behind the AL West-leading Texas Rangers. It was Chicago's second-straight win.
The first run of the game didn't come until the fourth inning. Alex Rios drew a lead-off walk and Paul Konerko's double moved him over to third. Mark Kotsay then grounded out but Alex Rios still made it home. Later in the top of the fifth, Juan Pierre had an RBI double that scored Aramis Ramirez from second. A single from Omar Vizquel moved Pierre to third and scored on the next at-bat off an RBI single from Alex Rios.
The Mariners' manager, Don Wakamatsu, said playing against a pitcher like Danks is not what a team needs when they're in a slump. The offensive slump has lasted pretty much all season, as the Mariners have scored two runs or less in 44 of 94 games.
"The thing [is], when you are having trouble scoring runs John Danks is not the guy you want to see," he said. "He showed up again tonight — as good as I've ever seen."
The only hits for the Mariners came off an infield single in the second from Casey Kotchman, and a two-out single in the eighth, which ended Danks' night. Putz broke Shingo Takatsu's record by pitching his 25th consecutive scoreless inning, and Jenks came on to pitch a perfect ninth, bouncing back from a terrible performance Sunday night when he allowed four runs and was charged with the loss at Minnesota.
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen wanted to get his closer work, save situation or not. Sunday had marked the first blown save of the season for Jenks, converting 20 of 21 chances, but he has a 4.63 ERA.
"That was the reason he was in there," he said. "The way he pitched against Minnesota I wanted to get him in there the first opportunity I could. Hopefully, it creates a positive environment for him. Bobby's good at bouncing back."
Jenks wasn't going to let Sunday bother him regardless of the outcome of Tuesday's game.
"Games like that, I try not to let them affect me in any way," he said. "Save situation or not, I would have the same attitude."
Chicago making up lost ground
The White Sox have won in consecutive nights since dropping three of four in Minnesota, which could have devastated their chances for holding a lead in the AL Central. Thankfully for them, two strong showings against the lowly Mariners have them back in control of their destiny. The White Sox have the best record in baseball since June 9, going 28-8 including Tuesday's game.
Carlos Quentin still resting
Guillen said he'll probably keep his slugger out until at least Friday, even though Quentin has said he feels fine. Quentin is the hot bat for the White Sox, with 19 home runs and 64 RBI. He injured his hand in Sunday's game against the Minnesota Twins. Even though Chicago won, they could sure use Quentin back: Andruw Jones filled in at right field but went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts and is hitting just .206 this season.
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