Guillen says why mess with success
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- When he shook up the White Sox' batting order on May 14, moving down Jim Thome and Paul Konerko and elevating A.J. Pierzynski and Carlos Quentin, manager Ozzie Guillen was looking for a quick fix.
Two weeks later, Guillen isn't about to mess with the Sox' success.
"I can't make any changes,'' Guillen said.
Why should he?
The White Sox easily dispatched the Rays, baseball's most surprising team, 5-1 at Tropicana Field Thursday night.
Quentin had another productive night, going 2-for-5 with 1 RBI. The left fielder leads the American League with 14 home runs and ranks second with 48 RBI.
"I don't think Quentin even realizes what he's doing,'' Guillen said. "He just goes out there and hits. I don't this kid panics, I don't think this kid's scared.
"Right now we're praying that his teammates come out of their slumps to help him.''
Guillen saw some positive answers in the win over Tampa Bay.
Konerko was 2-for-4, and he hit a solo home run in the eighth inning, his first since April 27.
"I was so glad Paulie had that type of game,'' Guillen said. "He needs that as a person and we need that as a team.''
Thome was 2-for-3 and had a run-scoring double. Even Nick Swisher, buried in the No. 8 slot, had a big double in the sixth after Joe Crede led off the inning with a home run.
"I don't want to be a one-man team,'' Guillen said, an obvious reference to Quentin's brilliant start at the plate. "Everybody has a job to do. I think we should be better, and we will.''
Danks dazzles: Sox starter John Danks pitched 6 innings and allowed 1 run on 6 hits while getting the win Thursday.
The left-hander also matched his career high with 8 strikeouts and beat the Rays for the second time this season. Danks has pitched 13 innings against Tampa Bay, allowing only 1 run on 9 hits.
"He's pitched pretty well overall this year,'' Rays manager Joe Maddon said of Danks. "He's given a lot of people problems. I think his angle bothers hitters. He's an aggressive sort, and he's got a good amount of confidence.''
Danks showed that in the first inning, when he struck out the side after Akinori Iwamura led off with a single.
"I was just doing my job,'' Danks said. "I guess I felt pretty good today.''
Danks said the White Sox are looking good.
"This division is very winnable,'' Danks said. "We're in a good position and we know if we keep winning games, we'll have a good shot.''
White Sox 5, Rays 1
At the plate: Paul Konerko hit his first home run since April 27, a solo shot in the eighth inning. The first baseman had gone 95 at-bats without a homer. Konerko, Jim Thome and Orlando Cabrera had 2 hits apiece.
On the mound: John Danks got the win after allowing 1 run over 6 innings. The left-hander ranks among AL leaders with a 2.86 ERA. Matt Thornton, Octavio Dotel and Boone Logan each pitched 1 scoreless inning of relief.
-- Scot Gregor