Jim Thome hits 512th career home run, drives in 5 runs to lead White Sox over Rays 6-0
Associated Press | Apr 20, 08 3:39 PM CDT in
Sports
Jim Thome hit career homer No. 512 and drove in three runs, John Danks struck out eight in seven innings and the Chicago White Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-0 on Sunday.
Thome also tied a career high with four hits. His second homer in the last three games tied him with Hall of Famers Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews for 19th place on the all-time list.
Danks (2-1) allowed three singles for the White Sox, who have won 11 of their last 16 games. The left-hander has not given up a run in two straight starts, totaling 14 2-3 innings. It's the first time he has won back-to-back starts since last July.
The Rays had just one runner in scoring position _ Carl Crawford reached third with two outs in the fourth _ against Danks.
Boone Logan pitched the final two innings for Chicago to complete a four-hitter.
Thome, who went 4-for-5, put the White Sox ahead 1-0 in the first with his fifth homer of the season. His third-inning RBI single off Edwin Jackson (2-2) made it 2-0.
Thome added a run-scoring single, Jermaine Dye hit a two-run triple and A.J. Pierzynski had an RBI single as Chicago went ahead 6-0 in the fifth.
Thome has totaled four hits in a game 10 times. The last time he accomplished the feat was Sept. 6, 2006, at Boston.
Jackson (2-2) gave up six runs and seven hits in 4 1-3 innings.
Notes:@ White Sox 1B Paul Konerko, mired in a 4-for-32 slide, was rested. ... Tampa Bay ace Scott Kazmir (left elbow) had a bullpen session and will make his second rehab start Wednesday for Class-A Vero Beach. He is expected to rejoin the team around May 3. ... Tampa Bay SS Jason Bartlett, slowed by a tired throwing arm, was out of the lineup. The problem is not thought to be serious. ... Rays RHP Matt Garza (right arm irritated nerve) allowed four runs and eight hits over 3 2-3 innings in his first rehab start for Vero Beach. ... Pierzynski snapped an 0-for-11 slide with a single in the second. ... Tampa Bay RHP Al Reyes (shoulder) has resumed playing catch and could return from the disabled list on Apr. 30.
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