White Sox Danks keeps getting it done

John Danks continued to make himself feel at home at U.S. Cellular Field on Monday night.

Entering the White Sox' game against Oakland at U.S. Cellular Field, Danks was 2-1 with a 1.14 ERA over his last 5 home starts.

Matched up against the Athletics' Sonny Gray, an American League Cy Young Award candidate, Danks continued his strong showing at home.

The White Sox allowed 4 runs in the ninth as Oakland rallied to tie the game at 7-7 and force extra innings.

The game appeared to be over when Josh Reddick grounded into a double play, but the Sox' Tyler Flowers was called for catcher's interference and the Athletics' comeback continued.

The White Sox finally broke through in the 14th inning. Geovany Soto singled, advanced to second on an Adam Eaton sacrifice bunt and scored on a two-out, two-strike single by Melky Cabrera.

The 8-7 White Sox victory took 5:09 to complete.

Danks pitched 7 innings and allowed 3 runs on 3 hits, all solo home runs.

Down a run in the third, the Sox took a 4-1 lead off Gray on 2-run homers from Jose Abreu and Trayce Thompson.

In the fourth inning, the Sox made it a 7-2 game on Alexei Ramirez's bases-loaded walk and Abreu's 2-run single.

While he has been exceptional at the Cell since mid-July, Danks also has held his own on the road in the second half.

“Command-wise, he's been better,” manager Robin Ventura said. “The difference in the fastball and changeup have to be there, but you have to be able to command the fastball first.

“We know he's a changeup pitcher, off-speed stuff, and you have to be able to throw it, but you have to command your fastball and execute that first and he's been better.

“Strength-wise, being able to mix in his cutter on the inside is going to be big for him to get people to start chasing that changeup.”

Jake Smolinski hit the first solo homer off Danks, in the third inning. Brett Lawrie homered in the fourth, and Reddick cleared the fences in the seventh.

Robertson honored:

Closer David Roberson is this season's White Sox nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, which recognizes the major-league player who best represents baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement.

Robertson and his wife, Erin, co-founded High Socks for Hope in 2011 after his hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was devastated by a tornado. The organization helps individuals affected by tornadoes, hurricanes and other natural disasters, as well as homeless, disabled or destitute veterans.

“It's awesome,” Robertson said of being the Clemente Award nod for the Sox. “It's incredible. My wife and I have worked really hard in our charity endeavors.

“You know, keep High Socks for Hope going and keep helping families that are in need. To be nominated for an award that a man who did so much for so many different communities means a lot to me.”