Jones' 2 HRs, Pierzynski send Sox over Yanks

Posted April 30, 2010 11:00 pm

Scot Gregor

Thanks to A.J. Pierzynski, the White Sox put a forgettable April out of their minds during a 7-6 marathon win over New York on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

One of a slew of slumping Sox hitters entering the game, Pierzynski went 3-for-4 to raise his average from .169 to .203.

The biggest hit came in the seventh inning, when Pierzynski ripped a 2-run double with two outs off former White Sox teammate Damaso Marte to erase a 6-5 deficit.

"That's what we expect from him," manager Ozzie Guillen told reporters after the Sox prevailed in 3 hours and 49 minutes while snapping a six-game losing streak in New York. "I think he's started swinging at better pitches, that's what I see."

Guillen had to be thrilled to see something other than a home run, which has been the White Sox' main source of run production so far this season.

That was the case again earlier in the game, when Andruw Jones hit solo homers off Yankees starter Javier Vazquez in the first and third innings and Mark Kotsay followed with a 2-run shot in the fourth.

Jones, who has 8 home runs for the season and 369 for his career, has gone deep against Vazquez seven times.

"I think when you face a pitcher so many times you get comfortable," said Jones, who sat out Friday night's game with back spasms. "He's never made me uncomfortable."

Kotsay's second home run of the season put the Sox in front 5-1, but New York mounted an expected rally.

"You come to this ballpark against that ballclub, you better be ready to fight because they're not going to give up," Guillen said.

Looking for his fourth straight win, White Sox starter John Danks labored through 5 innings while throwing 118 pitches. But the left-hander limited the Yankees to 2 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks.

"Danks was fighting all the way from the beginning," Guillen said.

Trailing 5-2 in the sixth inning, New York rallied for 4 runs against reliever Scott Linebrink, with Nick Swisher providing the key blow with a 2-run homer.

Instead of folding it up and falling to 1-4 on the road trip that started in Texas on Tuesday, the White Sox came back on Pierzynski's big hit and the bullpen made it hold up.

J.J. Putz delivered 11/3 scoreless innings and closer Bobby Jenks pitched over a two-out single in the ninth to record his fifth save in as many opportunities.

"It was huge for us," Guillen said of the win.

Scot Gregor's game tracker

White Sox 7, Yankees 6

Mr. Clutch: It looks like catcher A.J. Pierzynski has finally found his swing. Pierzynski's 2-run double with two outs in the seventh inning rallied the Sox from a 6-5 deficit. Pierzynski was 3-for-4, raising his average from .169 to .203.

Heavy load: After winning three straight starts, John Danks got a no-decision. The lefty threw 118 pitches in 5 innings, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits.

Familiar prey: After sitting out Friday with back spasms, Andruw Jones returned to the lineup and hit 2 solo home runs off New York starter Javier Vazquez, who was with the White Sox from 2006-08. Jones has 7 career homers off Vazquez, the most he's hit against any pitcher.