With a 3-0 lead heading into the 8th inning John Danks surrendered back to back singles to Casey Kotchman & Jack Hannahan. With runners on 1st and 2nd and nobody out, Robin Ventura thought Danks' night was done and decided to hand the game away to the clown car known as the Sox bullpen.
Danks threw his best game of the season tonight going 7+ innings, giving up five hits and two runs which were scored after he left the game.
Chris Sale was called on to pitch the 8th. The same Chris Sale that was recently moved to the CLOSER'S ROLE by White Sox management. So unless Robin was going to use Sale for a two inning save (which is unlikely seeing he came in with nobody out and apparently a sore elbow) the Sox have just contradicted themselves again.
Sale induced a ground ball of the bat of Johnny Damon but the play was botched by Alexei Ramirez setting up a bases loaded, nobody out situation. The Indians took advantage of the error and scored three times to tie the game in the frame eventually moving the game into extra innings.
Thankfully, the Sox only needed the 10th score two more runs. Alex Rios exacted revenge on Indians closer Chris Perez by tripling to score Brent Lillibridge (Who was pinch running for Paul Konerko.) Last Thursday, Perez appeared to yell at Rios in celebration as he grounded out to end the game. While walking off the field, Rios had words for Perez taking exception for celebrating the win.
Alexei Ramirez got Rios home on fielder's choice and Addison Reed threw a 1-2-3 bottom of the 10th to secure the 5-3 White Sox win.
It was nice to Danks finally earn his pay. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come because the Sox rotation seems to be down to three capable starters in Danks, Floyd and Peavy.
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