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What a difference a day makes. Tuesday the White Sox scored six runs and got blown out by the Twinkies, 12-6. Yesterday, they again plated six, but coasted to a 6-1 win over the Minnesotas to regain a share of first place in the division. The difference, of course, is pitching. “Unsteady” Freddy Garcia was off; John Danks “for the Memories” was on.

Danks lasted eight innings and gave up only one run on six hits and two walks, while striking out seven. He pitched out of jams when he needed to, and had an easy time of it when he didn’t let the leadoff man get on. Sergio Santos mopped up with an inning of scoreless, hitless relief. Also important: The rest of the bullpen rested.

Carlos Quentin had quite the night. Q stroked his 24th home run of the season and second of the series. He also singled and was hit by a pitch twice. (The second HBP prompted home plate umpire Mike DiMuro to issue warnings to both benches. Hawk complained because the Sox were vics not perps (I’m watching too much TV), and their pitchers would lose the ability to throw on the inside part of the plate for fear of being ejected.) That means Q’s batting average and on-base average for the game each was a perfect 1.000, and his slugging percentage was a gaudy 2.500. While it doesn’t make sense to look at single game stats like those, it’s fun to toss them out there.

Speaking of stats, since it’s fresh in my mind from yesterday's post, I’ll update the Sox’s record when scoring exactly six runs. The Good Guys are now 11-5 and have held their opponents to an average of 2.0 runs in the 11 wins and to an average of 8.6 runs in the five losses. Night and day in terms of how the Sox pitchers are performing.

My question is why the attendance was only 32,033. The team is playing one of its arch-rivals. First place is on the line. What does it take to sell out the Cell? C’mon Sox fans, support your team. Go Sox!