White Sox slip past Marlins 4-3 in 11 innings
Jeff Keppinger drove in the winning run on a single in the 11th and John Danks was solid in his season debut and the White Sox beat the Miami Marlins 4-3 on Friday night.
Paul Konerko started the rally with a one-out single. Pinch runner Tyler Greene moved to third when Dayan Viciedo singled off the glove of second baseman Derek Dietrich.
After Ryan Webb (1-2) intentionally walked Conor Gillaspie, Keppinger singled to left field.
Nate Jones (1-4) pitched two-thirds of an inning for the win.
Danks allowed three runs and four hits in six innings in his first start since undergoing shoulder surgery in August to repair a capsule tear and remove debris in his rotator cuff and biceps. He struck out five, walked none and hit a batter in the opener of the interleague series.
Danks went 3-4 with a 5.70 ERA in nine starts last season as the team’s opening day starter. He last pitched May 19, 2012, against the Cubs. The left-hander made four minor-league rehab starts before debuting Friday.
Marlins starter Tom Koehler gave up three runs in six innings in his first career interleague start. He struck out three and walked one. Koehler remained in the game after a Keppinger line drive struck him on the back of his right shoulder in the third inning.
The Marlins tied it 3-3 in the seventh. Marcell Ozuna led off with a double, forcing Danks from the game.
Ozuna advanced on a Justin Ruggiano single off Matt Lindstrom and scored on a Miguel Olivo sacrifice fly. After a Nick Green single loaded the bases, Lindstrom got a double play to end the inning.
Konerko hit a go-ahead, two-out single off Koehler for a 3-2 White Sox lead in the sixth. Alex Rios scored after extending his career-high and AL-leading hitting streak to 18 games with a one-out single.
Dietrich hit a two-run homer off Danks for a 2-0 Marlins lead in the fourth. Placido Polanco scored after leading off with a single for the Marlins’ first hit.
The White Sox scored two runs to tie it 2-2 in the fifth. Keppinger’s RBI groundout scored Viciedo, who reached on a force out and advanced on a Gillaspie double. Hector Gimenez hit a two-out single to tie it.
The White Sox threatened in the 10th. Keppinger led off with a single before Chad Qualls hit Gimenez with a pitch. Both runners advanced on an Alejandro De Aza sacrifice bunt. After Qualls intentionally walked Alexei Ramirez, Rios hit into an inning-ending double play with a close call at first that brought out manager Robin Ventura to talk to umpire Angel Hernandez. Replays showed Rios’ foot on the bag before the throw arrived.
The Marlins put a runner on third in the eighth of the tie game after Adeiny Hechavarria singled, stole second and advanced on an error. He was stranded when Ozuna grounded out. The Marlins also put two on in the 10th before the White Sox got a double play.
NOTES: The White Sox are hopeful LHP Chris Sale will make his scheduled start on Tuesday against the Cubs. He missed his start Wednesday against the Red Sox because of shoulder tendinitis. “In my mind, I’m going for sure, but I don’t know what (the team has),” Sale said. “That’s the target. That’s what we’re shooting for, but just like anything else, it’s out of my hands.” Sale said he felt good going through his shoulder program and he plans to play long toss Saturday. ... White Sox 2B Gordon Beckham won’t play in his rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte until at least Wednesday because he is experiencing soreness in his left hand, general manager Rick Hahn said. The hamate bone in Beckham’s left hand was removed April 16, and he began a rehab assignment May 18. “It’s nothing to be alarmed about,” Hahn said. ... Miami RHP Alex Sanabia said he didn’t know it was illegal to spit on a baseball the way he did Monday against the Phillies, and that he did it just to get a better grip. Sanabia, who was caught on video spitting after allowing a home run to Philadelphia’s Domonic Brown, said he hasn’t been contacted by Major League Baseball. ... To make room for Danks, the White Sox optioned LHP Donnie Veal to Triple-A. ... Marlins RHP Kevin Slowey played long toss and threw off flat ground Friday and is expected to throw a bullpen session Saturday. Slowey left his start Wednesday against Philadelphia in the sixth inning with a strained left lat muscle, but said he anticipates making his start Tuesday against Tampa Bay.