Mammoth Blog

CHICAGO -- With most of the 40,354 in attendance at U.S. Cellular Field sporting dark colors, the White Sox got their "Sox Pride" blackout as requested.

Through the immense power of Jim Thome and a spectacular start from John Danks, the White Sox then proceeded to turn the blackout into the knockout punch delivered to Minnesota in a well-played, exciting 1-0 victory over the Twins during a tiebreaker to decide the American League Central title. Ozzie Guillen's crew claimed its second division title in four years and will face Tampa Bay in the American League Division Series, with Game 1 starting at 1:30 p.m. CT Thursday at Tropicana Field.

Thome broke a scoreless tie leading off the seventh with a booming 461-foot home run to center off of Nick Blackburn, who was just about as masterful as Danks on the mound. Thome pumped his fist as he rounded first base, following one of the biggest home runs among the 541 he has launched during his illustrious career.

That slim run total was enough for Danks, who allowed two hits over eight innings. Danks matched his longest outing of the year by going eight, striking out four and walking three. Danks threw 103 pitches working on three days' rest, giving the White Sox a 3-1 record with their starters going on the short break, before giving way to Bobby Jenks.

Minnesota had a chance to grab the lead in the fifth, when Michael Cuddyer led off the frame with a double to left and moved to third on Delmon Young's fly ball to center fielder Ken Griffey, Jr. Cuddyer tried to come home on Brendan Harris' shallow fly ball to Griffey, but Griffey fired a perfect strike to catcher A.J. Pierzynski to nail Cuddyer. Pierzynski caught the short hop from Griffey and applied the tag, while taking the brunt of a collision with Cuddyer in his left shoulder.

Cuddyer's double was the only hard-hit ball off of Danks in the first seven innings.

Tuesday's effort completed three straight wins needed by the White Sox, who were sitting one-half game behind Minnesota and in the midst of a five-game losing streak as of Saturday night.

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. Source>>>