Ramirez's homer helps Sox beat Seattle 3-1

Alexi Ramirez hit a 3-run homer with one out in the top of the ninth off closer David Aardsma and the White Sox rallied for a 3-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night.

Ramirez jumped on a 2-2 pitch from Aardsma and lined the high fastball 370 feet into the White Sox bullpen in left. The White Sox were held to 1 hit over 6 innings by Seattle starter Doug Fister, who was making his major-league debut. But Fister's effort was ruined by Aardsma's third blown save of the season.

Paul Konerko nearly tied it to open the ninth, flying out to the wall in center field. After a walk to A.J. Pierzynski and single by Carlos Quentin, Ramirez hit his 13th homer of the season.

The White Sox moved within 2 games of first-place Detroit in the AL Central, while Seattle fell 51/2 games behind Boston in the wild card.

John Danks (10-8) pitched 8 strong innings, scattering 7 hits and striking out eight. He allowed an RBI single to Russell Branyan in the fourth, but otherwise shut down the Mariners and won for the fifth time in his last 7 decisions.

The White Sox are confident the additions of ace starting pitcher Jake Peavy and mulit-skilled outfielder Alex Rios are going to make them a contender the next three or four seasons.

But what about this year?

Peavy, acquired in a July 31 trade from the San Diego Padres, is expected to be ready to pitch by the end of the month.

Rios, claimed off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays Monday, joined the Sox in Seattle on Tuesday but wasn't in the starting lineup following a long day of travel.

The White Sox can use both players as they struggle to make a run at the first-place Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.

There's little question the addition of Peavy and Rios make the White Sox a stronger team, but will they be enough to help their new team to get to the playoffs?

"You've got to get to the playoffs to be a factor in the playoffs," Sox general manager Kenny Williams told reporters before the game. "We absolutely think that no matter who we would be up against in a playoff situation, we certainly have the capability to play well and ultimately go all the way."

"However, that's why you go through the grind of 162 games. I would love to be in a better situation than we are now, but the fact of the matter is here we are closing in on mid-August and we've fortified ourselves to the point where we can do well in October. So now, the objective is you've got to get there. You've got to drive to the finish line and get there."

Scot Gregor's game tracker

White Sox 3, Mariners 1

Tuesday's grade: A. Starter John Danks was back on his game with 8 strong innings, and Alexei Ramirez's 3-run homer in the ninth might have been the Sox' biggest hit of the season.

Stat of the year: Before Alexei Ramirez's clutch 3-run homer off Seattle closer David Aardsma in the ninth inning, the White Sox were 0-49 when trailing after the eighth.

Bobby's back: Sox closer Bobby Jenks worked a scoreless ninth inning and earned his first save since July 20.

Rios reports for work: Alex Rios joined the White Sox Tuesday afte being claimed off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. Rios didn't play, but he is expected to start tonight.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=313241">Rios reports, raring to go <span class="date"> [8/11/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>