Danks' homer helps White Sox beat Cubs

[March 19, 2012]  MESA, Ariz. (AP) -- Zach Stewart is trying his best to focus on pitching rather than listening to the rumors.

A candidate to make the White Sox as a reliever and spot starter, Stewart gave up two runs and six hits in three innings for Chicago in a 7-5, 10-inning win over a Cubs split squad.

"It's always in the back of my mind, trying to make the team, but for the most part, I have to get my work in," said Stewart, who threw a one-hitter last season. "Then whatever happens, happens.

"I just go out, do my thing, do what I have to do to be prepared for the season," he added.

Jordan Danks homered in the 10th inning for the White Sox.

Dan Johnson hit a two-run shot and Gordon Beckham had a two-run single in a five-run sixth inning.

White Sox pitchers, though, had trouble with control when it counted. They forced in two Cubs' runs with bases loaded walks in the eighth.

Down 5-3, the Cubs loaded the bases with nobody out -- the key play was White Sox first baseman Jim Gallagher's error on an infield roller to start the inning. Brett Jackson drew a walk off Leyson Septimo to force in a run.

After Matt Szczur popped out, Josh Vitters drew a walk off Simon Castro to force in the tying run.

Johnson homered off Andy Sonnanstine in the sixth to cut the Cubs lead to 3-2.

Danks opened the 10th with a leadoff homer to right field. The White Sox added a run on a throwing error by Cubs shortstop Logan Watkins.

Cubs pitcher Casey Coleman threw three scoreless innings. He gave up only two hits and struck out three.

The Cubs put together four straight hits, including a two-run double by Alredo Amezaga, to take a 2-0 lead in the second off Stewart.

In the fourth, Tony Campana's squeeze bunt scored Josh Vitters, who had doubled. Campana was credited with a bunt single as the Cubs took a 3-0 lead.

In the fourth, the Cubs' Kerry Wood allowed two straight singles to Paul Konerko and Kosuke Fukodome, but then induced Alexei Ramirez to ground into an inning-ending double play.

The game, attended by 12,469, was delayed 25 minutes at the start while the grounds crew worked on the rain-soaked field.

Gavin Floyd was scheduled to start for the White Sox, "But with the rain, we didn't want to chance bringing him over here and then starting and stopping," manager Robin Ventura said.

Instead, Floyd threw a five-inning simulated game at the team's facility at Camelback Ranch. "He threw great."

NOTES: The Cubs will play a "B" game vs. the Cleveland Indians at 10 a.m. Monday in Goodyear. Randy Wells will start for the Cubs. ... The Cubs visit Peoria on Monday to play the Seattle Mariners. On Tuesday, they have split squads; they host the Texas Rangers and visit Phoenix Municipal Stadium to play the Oakland Athletics. ... The White Sox host the Cincinnati Reds Monday then take Tuesday off.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.