Seattle, WA (Sports Network) – John Danks was nearly unhittable on the mound, as the Chicago White Soxblanked the scuffling Seattle Mariners, 4-0, in the middle installment of a three-game series at Safeco Field.
Danks (10-7) scattered two hits, walked four and struck out eight over 7 2/3 innings.
Alexei Ramirez went 3-for-4 with a home run for the American League Central- leading White Sox, who have won 11 of their last 14 games. Chicago now has a 3 1/2-game lead over the Twins and Tigers in the division standings after both those teams lost Tuesday.
Seattle starter Doug Fister (3-6) allowed three runs on seven hits and walked one while fanning six over six innings.
The Mariners are 3-14 in July.
Alex Rios walked to start the top of the fourth inning for Chicago. Paul Konerko followed with a double, and aMark Kotsay groundout staked the White Sox to a 1-0 lead.
Ramirez led off the fifth with a single, advanced to second on a groundout and came home on a double by Juan Pierre. Consecutive singles by Omar Vizquel and Rios plated another run to make it 3-0.
Ramirez homered off Mariners reliever Chris Seddon with two outs in the ninth to account for the final score.
Danks has won 10 games for the third straight season...Chicago's J.J. Putz recorded the final out in the eighth inning and, in doing so, set a club record with his 25th consecutive scoreless appearance. He broke the mark previously set by Shingo Takatsu during the 2004 season...Ichiro Suzuki and Casey Kotchman both singled for the Mariners...The White Sox have won all five meetings between these teams this year.