Danks goes the distance, stiffles Mariners

John Danks threw a three-hitter and struck out ten to lead the White Sox to a 3-0 win over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday night.

It was Danks’ third straight start of six-plus innings while allowing two or fewer runs. It was also his second complete game of the year and second career shutout. His 10 strikeouts matched a career high.

Danks (6-9) retired 16 of the first 17 batters he faced. Kyle Seager’s soft groundball back up the middle in the third gave Seattle its only baserunner through the first five innings.

Consecutive singles from Juan Pierre and Alejandro De Aza put runners on the corners for Chicago in the fourth. Paul Konerko worked a full count and looped a soft single into left field to score Pierre and move De Aza to third. Alexei Ramirez drove in De Aza with a sacrifice fly to center field to give the White Sox a 2-0 lead.

Brendan Ryan drew a one-out walk in the sixth inning and Ichiro Suzuki followed with an infield single to give the Mariners their first runner in scoring position all night. Danks bounced back by getting Franklin Gutierrez on a called third strike and Dustin Ackley flew out to left field to end the threat.

Mariners starter Michael Pineda (9-8) pitched well, allowing just two runs on three hits, all in the fourth inning.

De Aza added a solo home run in the eighth inning off Mariners reliever Chance Ruffin.

Notes: The White Sox placed OF Carlos Quentin on the 15-day disabled list and recalled 3B Dayan Viciedo from Triple-A Charlotte. Viciedo was not in the starting lineup Saturday but manager Ozzie Guillen said he will start Sunday and that “he’s here to play.” ... CF Alex Rios was scratched from the lineup due to a bruised right hand. X-rays were negative. Rios is listed as day-to-day. He was replaced in the lineup by Brent Lillibridge. Rios came on as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning. ... Gavin Floyd (11-10) faces Jason Vargas (7-11) as the White Sox look for a series sweep on Sunday.