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 The Astros pounded out 17 hits, had three big rallies and still
had to sweat it out in the late stages of an 11-7 win that prevented
a White Sox sweep.
After two sixth-inning errors and a shaky bullpen contributed to a
blown four-run lead, Houston (41-58) answered in the seventh with
four runs on four hits against right-hander Daniel Webb (5-3).
"That right there speaks to the character of the guys in this
clubhouse," Houston manager Bo Porter said. "You know, we've been
faced with adversity throughout the course of the year, and one
thing I can say about these guys is they're going to continue to
fight. They're going to play the game hard each and every day, and
today was a great example of them responding to an adverse
situation."
The Astros got seventh-inning doubles from designated hitter Chris
Carter, third baseman Matt Dominguez and left fielder L.J. Hoes.
Shortstop Marwin Gonzalez (3-for-4) also drove in two with a two-out
single to center field to provide a four-run cushion.
Left-hander Tony Sipp (2-1) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings of
relief to earn the win, and right-hander Chad Qualls retired the Sox
in order in the ninth. Dominguez led the way offensively, going
3-for-5 with a home run, a double and four RBIs, but the top members
of Houston's batting order all had big games.
 The first four hitters -- second baseman Jose Altuve, center fielder
Enrique Hernandez, Carter and Dominguez -- combined to go 9-for-18
with seven RBIs and seven runs.
"We battled through that game," Dominguez said. "The seventh, we
were able to come through, (Carter) with that leadoff double. (I
was) able to knock him in and kind of build on that inning, so it
was nice to go out there and get a win like that."
White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu went 2-for-5 with an RBI single,
extending his hitting streak to 11 straight games.
Chicago also got 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief from right-hander
Taylor Thompson, who made his major league debut after having his
contract at Triple-A Charlotte purchased Sunday morning.
Both starters got no-decisions in forgettable outings.
Astros right-hander Jarred Cosart allowed four runs (three earned)
on seven hits and four walks in five innings. White Sox left-hander
John Danks lasted only 4 1/3 innings. He allowed seven runs on 12
hits, including home runs by Altuve in the third and Dominguez in
the fifth.
It was Danks' worst outing at home this season after he entered the
game 4-2 with a 2.72 ERA in nine previous starts at U.S. Cellular
Field. He also posted seven quality starts in his previous nine
outings overall.
"Nothing else really to say, it (stunk)," Danks said. "I dug us a
hole. These guys fought hard to get out of it, but it (stinks) to
set a tone like that."
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It wasn't the first time Houston beat up on Danks this season or in
his career. The Astros also knocked him out early May 18 in Houston,
when he took the loss after going just 4 2/3 innings and allowing
eight runs (seven earned) on 10 hits, including three home runs.
Danks is 0-2 with a 14.00 ERA in those two outings combined,
yielding 22 hits and five homers.
"For whatever reason, Houston's beat me up this year," he said.
"Fortunately we're done with them and we won the series, but it
stinks to go out there with a chance to sweep and not pitch well."
The Astros took a 1-0 lead in the first by manufacturing a run, then
pushed the lead to 4-0 in the third on four hits, including Altuve's
two-run homer.
Chicago clawed back by scoring once in the third and twice in the
fourth to make it 4-3, but Houston countered with three more in the
fifth for a 7-3 lead. Once again, the White Sox pecked away until
they tied it 7-7 in the sixth.
After plating a run in the fifth, the White Sox added three more in
sixth on three hits and two errors, including a routine grounder
that went through Altuve's legs to score Abreu from second with the
tying run.
NOTES: Prior to the game, the White Sox purchased the contract of
RHP Taylor Thompson from Triple-A Charlotte. Thompson, 27, took the
place of rookie INF Carlos Sanchez, who was optioned to Charlotte
following the game Saturday night. To make room on the 40-man roster
for Thompson, the White Sox transferred RHP Felipe Paulino (rotator
cuff) to the 60-day disabled list. ... Astros CF George Springer sat
out due to continuing soreness in his right knee and quadriceps
muscle. Manager Bo Porter hopes the day off, combined with a
scheduled day off for the team Monday, will help Springer heal. UT
Enrique Hernandez started in center and went 2-for-5. ... Houston
also scratched INF Jesus Guzman from a scheduled start at first base
due to a sore back. He was replaced by Jon Singleton, who went
1-for-5.
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