Danks, 2 relievers combine to 4-hit Royals

[September 22, 2008]  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- John Danks and two relievers combined on a four-hitter and Paul Konerko hit a two-run homer as the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 3-0 on Sunday.

The victory enabled the White Sox to remain 2 1/2 games in front of the Minnesota Twins, who won at 4-1 at Tampa Bay. The White Sox open a three-game series Tuesday at Minnesota that will likely determine the American League Central crown.

Danks, who was 0-3 with two no-decisions in his previous five starts, held the Royals to four hits and allowed only one runner past second base. Danks (11-8), who retired 11 in a row during one stretch, left after seven-plus innings, walking one and striking out three, picking up his first victory since Aug. 16.

Danks walked David DeJesus and gave up and a two-out single to Ryan Shealy in the first, but struck out Mark Teahen to end the threat. In the second, he hit John Buck with a pitch. He advanced to second on a wild pitch, but was stranded there. Alex Gordon doubled with one out in the seventh and advanced to third on a ground out, but failed to score.

Konerko's 18th home run to left with Jim Thome aboard after a walk gave the White Sox a three-run cushion.

The White Sox scored their other run in the first with singles by Dewayne Wise and Jermaine Dye putting runners on the corners. Thome's sacrifice fly, which shortstop Mike Aviles caught in shallow left with his back to the plate, was enough to get Wise home.

Brandon Duckworth (3-2) took the loss, giving up three runs and five hits in six-plus innings, while striking out three and walking one.

Kansas City chased Danks when Alberto Callaspo led off the eighth with a pinch-hit single that extended his hitting streak to a career-high 15 games. Matt Thornton got the next two outs, while Bobby Jenks retired the final four batters for his 29th save in 32 opportunities.

The shutout was the ninth by the White Sox pitching staff, while the Royals were shutout for the 12th time.

Associated Press]

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