49

John Danks tossed 6.2 innings of four-hit, one-run ball last night to lead the White Sox to a 5-1 win over the Tigers. Danks, who struck out six while walking only one, lowered his ERA to 3.21, seventh lowest in the American League. In picking up his ninth win (17th best in the league), Danks gave the bullpen a much-needed rest. One night after all seven relievers combined to throw more than 10 innings, only D.J. Carrasco, Octavio Dotel, and Bobby Jenks (who warmed up when it was a save situation, but wound up coming in with a four-run lead) were needed -- and they delivered, blanking Detroit for 2.1 innings.

Jim Thome provided all the offense the Sox would need with a three-run, opposite-field home run in the first inning. Way to beat the shift, Jimmy! It was the 22nd time this season and 529th time in his career that Thome went yard. Alexei Ramirez padded the lead in the eighth inning with a bases-loaded single to right that drove in Jermaine Dye and Thome and almost allowed pinch-runner Brian Anderson to score as Ramirez got into a rundown while trying to reach second on the play. All five Sox runs came with two outs, which is a good sign of a team that won't quit.

Juan Uribe, who got the start again at third base (where have you gone Josh Fields?), turned in some nifty plays at the hot corner, including a bang-bang double play. Uribe snared a broken bat line drive and threw to first without a moment's hesitation to double off Gary Sheffield. His defense reminded us of how he played in 2005. (Speaking of 2005, Juan reached double digits in both sacrifice flies and sacrifice bunts that year, the last time anyone in baseball pulled off that feat.)

By the way, bench coach Joey Cora piloted the Sox last night. While Ozzie served the second game of his suspension, Cora picked up his second win of the season as manager and improved his lifetime record to 3-0. There's a lot of talk about Cora as skipper of the Mariners (like that nautical theme?) next year. We'd hate to lose him, but it's going to happen sooner or later.

The only bad news yesterday was that Minnesota finally beat Seattle, so the Sox remain one game ahead of the Twins. The Magic Number drops to 49, though. And tonight, we hope to break out the brooms and sweep the series with the Tigers. Then the Mannyless Red Sox come to town for a four-game series that promises to be tough. Go Sox!