No support again for Danks, WSox lose in Texas

[May 24, 2011]  ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- John Danks is still looking for his first victory this season for Chicago White Sox, even after a complete game against a Texas lineup that got back its two sluggers.

Once again, Danks got no offensive support from his own lineup, and the White Sox lost 4-0 to the Rangers.

Reigning AL MVP Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz both homered in their return for the defending American League champions to back the first career shutout for Alexi Ogando (5-0), a five-hitter.

"(Danks) threw the ball very well, but he made a couple mistakes to the wrong guys. He did a good job, but Ogando was better," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "We couldn't do much. We hit a couple balls hard, but we couldn't do anything with it."

Danks is the first White Sox pitcher since Neil Allen in 1987 to start a season 0-7. The left-hander is one of only five major league pitchers this season with at least seven starts without a win.

The White Sox have scored only four runs for Danks in his five road starts this season.

"He's had only one bad game. But we're not doing anything to help him and that's the problem," Guillen said. "You tell him it's not your fault, keep your head up. He gives us a chance to win every time out except one game."

Danks, drafted ninth overall by Texas in 2003 and traded to Chicago three years later, struck out three and walked two while 71 of 105 pitches for strikes. It was his third career complete game, and first this season.

"It's tough to lose. I say the same thing after every start. I felt good," Danks said. "I just made a couple mistakes and got outpitched."

Hamilton and Cruz were back in the Rangers lineup together for the first time since April 12, when Hamilton broke a bone in his upper right arm trying to score with a headfirst slide. Cruz had last played May 3 before a strained left quadriceps.

Both wrapped up rehab assignments Sunday at Triple-A Round Rock, and were activated before Monday's game.

Hamilton pulled an 0-1 pitch over the right-field wall in the first to put Texas ahead to stay. He hit .333 without a homer in 11 games before getting hurt.

Cruz hit a two-run shot to left in the sixth, his eighth, to make it 3-0.

"I made a lousy pitch to a pretty darn good hitter in the first, and I made a good pitch to Cruz that he hit out of the ballpark," Danks said. "It changes their lineup, no disrespect to their other hitters."

Ogando (5-0), who was added to the rotation at the end of spring training after Tommy Hunter's injury, struck out six and walked three while throwing 72 of his 105 pitches for strikes.

It was only the fourth time ever at Rangers Ballpark, which opened in 1994, that both starting pitchers threw complete games. The game was played in 2 hours, 5 minutes, the shortest there since a 2-hour game five years ago.

Chicago was held without a run for the sixth time after being scoreless only five times last season.

It was the second time the White Sox were shut out when Danks started.

"I just have to keep plugging along. I feel like it's a broken record. It's tough, don't get me wrong. I just have to get ready for my next start in Toronto," he said. "It's getting harder and harder (to stay positive). That's the blunt truth. But it doesn't do me any good to dwell on it and feel sorry for myself."

NOTES: When Pierzynski reached into the stands to try to catch a foul ball by Beltre in the sixth inning, he found himself face-to-face with former President George W. Bush. The ball didn't hit anyone when it fell into the owner's box where Bush and his wife, Laura, sat with Rangers president Nolan Ryan and his wife, Ruth. ... The White Sox are 7-4 after 11 of 20 games in 20 days. ... PGA Tour player Vijay Singh attended the game. He missed the cut at the Colonial in Fort Worth last week and is a former champion in this week's Byron Nelson Championship in Irving.

[Associated Press; By STEPHEN HAWKINS]

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