Danks dials up a dandy

CLEVELAND -- Did John Danks save the White Sox' season Thursday?

After all, the Sox were 0-2 against the AL Central rival Indians, and another loss would have sent them to Detroit in as deep of an early hole as possible.

"It was important,'' catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. "It was a huge spot in a huge situation, a huge game.''

The third game of the season is huge?

"Yeah, because you want to get a win before the end of the season,'' Pierzynski said with a semi-seriousness. "So yeah.''

Said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen: "Well, we expected to win a game before the season was over.''

Thanks to a marvelous effort from Danks and solo home runs by Juan Uribe and Joe Crede, the Sox avoided a three-game sweep to open a season in which they have plenty to prove.

While there may have been some clubhouse debate over the significance of their 2-1 win over Cleveland at Progressive Field, there was a unanimous verdict on Danks' performance.

"He had the best curveball, the best slider that he's had since I've seen him,'' Pierzynski said. "That's the best he's probably pitched since he's been here.''

As a rookie last season, Danks got off to a promising start before falling apart after the all-star break. This time, the 22-year-old lefty felt confident Thursday heading into his first outing after adding a cut fastball and improving his curve and slider.

Pitching under more pressure than usual so early in the season, Danks calmly delivered 6¿ quality innings, allowing 1 run on 2 hits. He was working on a no-hitter until Casey Blake singled up the middle to lead off the sixth.

"My curve was working,'' Danks said. "The cutter was great as the game went on. My changeup was hit-and-miss and my fastball location was good enough to win. It could have been better.

"Hopefully this carries over to my next start.''

Fellow left-hander Mark Buehrle has made a nice living throwing the cutter, mainly against right-handed hitters. Danks experimented with the pitch late last season, and it has developed into a weapon, at least for now.

"It helped a ton,'' Danks said. "You could tell guys were trying to protect their inner half, which opened up the outer half and produced a lot of groundballs. It's the reason why we were working on it, and I think it will be a big pitch for me.''

Said Pierzynski: "He threw some (cutters) a little bit last year. But those are the best ones he's thrown consistently for a game. It was important. It gets guys off his pitches that run away, his sinker and his changeup."

The win should get some critics off the Sox' backs.

"The way we lost the first two games, it was pretty frustrating,'' said Crede, who decided the outcome with a home run off Jake Westbrook leading off the eighth inning. "It is big to come out of here with a win against these guys. I think this team should be expected to win a lot more games because of the talent we have here. I expect everybody here to go out and win games on a consistent basis.''

Thanks to Danks, the Sox have taken their first step.

White Sox 2, Indians 1

On the mound: Starter John Danks had a no-hitter until Casey Blake singled leading off the sixth inning. Danks pitched 62/3 innings and allowed 1 run on 2 hits. Scott Linebrink pitched a scoreless eighth in his Sox debut. Bobby Jenks retired the side in order in the ninth inning to get the save.

At the plate: Joe Crede homered for the first time since May 19, against the Cubs. Juan Uribe also hit a solo homer. Paul Konerko (0-for-4) was 1-for-10 on the series.

-- Scot Gregor