White Sox 3, Mariners 0: Danks goes the distance

by Jim Margalus on Aug 28, 2011 12:09 AM CDT in White Sox Game Recaps

When John Danks pitches like he did tonight, he doesn't need offensive support. A few runs proved to be plenty as Danks mowed down the Mariner lineup en route to his second career shutout.

Danks tied a career high in strikeouts (10) and game score (90) during his three-hitter, in which he tied his all-time-high pitch count, too (120). It was the easiest 120 pitches -- he only walked one, he didn't allow much in the way of solid contact, and not one Mariner reached third base. His changeup was on target from the first inning on, which allowed him to command both sides of the plate.

He only needed his defense on one occasion, and Alexei Ramirez had his back. With Miguel Olivo on second and two outs, Wily Mo Pena hit a hard grounder to Ramirez's left. Ramirez knocked it down with a slide, found the ball behind him, spun and made a perfect throw from his knees in order to retire Pena by a step. Thus ended the only threat, and it didn't register much of a scare.

Michael Pineda was Danks' equal through the first three innings, retiring nine consecutive hitters on 44 pitches. But he temporarily lost command -- and some composure -- in the fourth inning after Juan Pierre canceled the postgame show with a bunt single off the plate. Alejandro De Aza first-to-thirded him on a hit-and-run, and Paul Konerko did the same with a single over shortstop to drive in Pierre.

Ramirez followed by hitting a sac fly after an extended at-bat to make it a 2-0 game. Pineda calmed down after that, but Danks never slipped up to let him back in the game.

De Aza added insurance in the eighth with a solo shot that barely cleared the fence in right.

Record: 65-65 | Box score | Play-by-play

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Dunn 0-4 3K

Viciedo 0-0

by spengler on Aug 28, 2011 12:22 AM CDT reply actions

we'll see viciedo tomorrow. he was going from eastern to pacific. fug it.

danks sure had their nomber though

by Rhubarb on Aug 28, 2011 12:37 AM CDT up reply actions

How dare Viciedo hook up the Wii and play virtually from the airplane

selfish.

sideways smiley face

by TasteeFreeze on Aug 28, 2011 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions

* not hook up...

sideways smiley face

by TasteeFreeze on Aug 28, 2011 8:21 AM CDT up reply actions

Truly one of JohnnyD's best pitching performances

But the Mariners lineup is nowhere near the Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers or 2008 Blackout game Twins…

This game raises a lot of what-ifs. What if Juan Pierre hadn’t made those miscues in left early in the season? What if the bullpen hadn’t gone through the shakeout period at the beginning of the season and had held a few more of Danks’ leads? What if Adam Dunm had been just a league-average DH (in RBIs and HRs) and the Sox had gotten a few more runs for Johnny in various games? It could have been a very different season for Johnny and the Sox…

Baseball is life.

by elgonzo4sox on Aug 28, 2011 12:39 AM CDT reply actions

that was a nice effort by danks.

Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.

by KenWo4LiFe on Aug 28, 2011 1:23 AM CDT reply actions

from the no shit department.

Kenwo4life=ratings. Just call me Mr. USA Today.

by KenWo4LiFe on Aug 28, 2011 1:24 AM CDT up reply actions

he tried his best

PROMOTE GREG WALKER!

by billyok on Aug 28, 2011 2:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Seems like you are back!

Jim, glad to see you writing most of the posts a. gain. The other guys are good. Kenwo, Colin, and UGod, are clearly more enjoyable than the local papers, but Jim, I kind of have a man crush on your work. Maybe it is just what I am used to after coming over from the Sox Machine, but the quality is off the charts. A few comments:
1. Sign Danks – I think he will give the kind of value Alexei will give through their contracts if not better. I know it is hard to compare, but these two are clearly part of the solution and not the problem.
2. I love the bullpen right now. I like matchups like Jim, without a set closer, but you can do a whole lot worse than Sergio as your closer if that is how it has to be.
3. It is probably all over this year, but I like danks, Sale, Floyd, Humber, and Peavy for next year. I would love to see Buerhle instead of Humber, but whoever is in charge will try to use him like Hudson should have been used.
4. Outfield – De Aza, viciedo, and OF du jour ( Lili, Rios, the other Danks).
5. INF – Morel, Ram, and Paul, bring in someone to compete with GB, whoever it is should also be able to play 3b to spell Morel. See if the pressure motivates GB to take shorter hacks. Sadly, Dunn has to be the DH (crossing fingers, he can’t be as bad as this year, can he?).
6. So conflicted on Ozzie. Grew up with him, but my HS Frosh team does not sac bunt as much as the sox. who would the replacement be?
7. Kenny, Kenny, Kenny. I have met the man, and shortly there afterwards he picked up M. Ramirez. I understand the chance he took, but he seems slightly out of touch. Hahn must roll his eyes when KW makes some of his decisions.
8. As a fan the Spring Training experience is far superior to the Cell. Granted, when I visit the cell I do not pay since my father in law is a season ticket holder, but I probably would not visit the. Cell if I had to pay the outrageous ticket prices.
9. GET HOT SOX!

by affiniakw on Aug 28, 2011 1:26 AM CDT via mobile reply actions