Danks gets to enjoy brother's company

TUCSON, Ariz. - Playing in the same game with his younger brother, White Sox starter John Danks had his best outing of the spring.

Danks allowed 3 runs and 6 hits while striking out five in 5⅔ innings as the White Sox earned a 9-6 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.

"Early on I was sharp, as sharp as I have been. It is really encouraging," Danks said. "It has been frustrating so far in this camp not to be able to throw the ball where I want. To be sharp in the first three or four innings is great. I guess I ran out of gas."

Danks, who has a spring ERA of 3.57 with 22 strikeouts and 7 walks, allowed a 2-run homer to Miguel Montero and a run-scoring single to Chris Young in the fifth before being taken out.

Jordan Danks, a 2008 seventh-round draft pick, was 0-for-2 and played center field, the first time the brothers played in the same game since they were at Round Rock (Texas) High School.

The White Sox drafted Jordan Danks twice. He played for the University of Texas after being a 19th-round selection in 2005, and was picked again three years later.

"It is neat. To have him in the dugout and being able to talk to him was fun," John Danks said, adding his brother will find out in the next few days where he will be sent in the White Sox minor-league system.

The elder Danks emerged as the Sox' most consistent pitcher last season, going 12-9 with a 3.32 ERA.

Arizona starter Doug Davis continues to work on his curve ball in spring appearances, but it was his fastball that cost him against the White Sox.

"I couldn't spot a fastball to save my life," Davis said.

Davis, who has worked his way through triceps issues early in camp, allowed 3 runs and 7 hits, while striking out two in 4⅔ innings The left-hander didn't allow a walk, but felt he was too wild.

"I was a little frustrated out there. I was a little erratic," Davis said.

Davis didn't give up a lot of sharp hits, with most the infield variety or wind aided. The biggest damage came when Dewayne Wise had a gusty windblown triple off center fielder Young's glove to bring in a pair of runners in the first inning. Wise finished 2-for-3.

Chris Getz connected on a legitimate run-scoring double in the fifth and was 3-for-5.

Arizona shortstop Stephen Drew went 2-for-3 in his first game back in a week since suffering an abdominal strain.

"For being off a little bit of time and facing basically just left-handers he had some good swings," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said.

Young finished 2-for-4, while Josh Wilson and Gerardo Parra had homers for Arizona.