The 2012 Chicago White Sox Spring Training schedule is out and these games should give fans an early look at what the team might do this year. It looks to become a re-building year for the White Sox, but there is always hope that the team can compete for an American League Central title again. It all gets started on Monday, March 5 against the Los Angeles Dodgers and works up to Opening Day on Friday, April 6 against the Texas Rangers.

Full Chicago White Sox 2012 Spring Training Schedule

Monday, March 5

Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago, 3:05 p.m. ET

Tuesday, March 6

Chicago at Los Angeles Angels, 2:05 p.m. ET

Wednesday, March 7

Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago, 3:05 p.m. ET

Thursday, March 8

Chicago at Texas Rangers, 3:05 p.m. ET

Friday, March 9

Chicago Cubs at Chicago White Sox, 3:05 p.m. ET

Saturday, March 10

Texas at Chicago (SS), 3:05 p.m. ET

Los Angeles Dodgers at Chicago (SS), 9:05 p.m. ET

Sunday, March 11

Chicago at Colorado Rockies, 4:10 p.m. ET

Monday, March 12

Oakland Athletics at Chicago, 4:05 p.m. ET

Tuesday, March 13

Chicago at San Diego Padres, 4:05 p.m. ET

Wednesday, March 14

L.A. Angels at Chicago, 4:05 p.m. ET

Thursday, March 15

Chicago at Cleveland Indians, 4:05 p.m. ET

Friday, March 16

Chicago at Arizona Diamondbacks, 4:10 p.m. ET

Saturday, March 17

Seattle Mariners at Chicago, 4:05 p.m. ET

Sunday, March 18

Chicago White Sox at Chicago Cubs, 4:05 p.m. ET

Monday, March 19

Cincinnati Reds at Chicago, 4:05 p.m. ET

Wednesday, March 21

Chicago at Seattle, 4:05 p.m. ET

Thursday, March 22

Kansas City Royals, at Chicago, 4:05 p.m. ET

Friday, March 23

Arizona at Chicago, 10:05 p.m. ET

Saturday, March 24

Chicago at Milwaukee Brewers, 4:05 p.m. ET

Sunday, March 25

San Francisco Giants at Chicago, 4:05 p.m. ET

Monday, March 26

Chicago at L.A. Dodgers, 4:05 p.m. ET

Tuesday, March 27

Cleveland at Chicago, 4:05 p.m. ET

Wednesday, March 28

San Diego at Chicago (SS), 4:05 p.m. ET

Chicago (SS) at Colorado, 4:10 p.m. ET

Thursday, March 29

Chicago at L.A. Dodgers, 4:05 p.m. ET

Friday, March 30

Chicago at Kansas City, 9:05 p.m. ET

Saturday, March 31

Colorado at Chicago, 4:05 p.m. ET

Sunday, April 1

Chicago at Cincinnati, 4:05 p.m. ET

Monday, April 2

Milwaukee at Chicago, 3:05 p.m. ET

Tuesday, April 3

Chicago at Houston, TBA

Wednesday, April 4

Chicago at Houston, TBA

Source:

White Sox Main Site

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KSBY Sports continues its countdown of the top 11 local sports stories of 2011. Our second nominee is the Chicago White Sox decision to hire Arroyo Grande resident Robin Ventura as its 39th manager in club history.

The news broke on October 5 and culminated with an introduction in the Windy City on the 11th. The Righetti High graduate returned to a White Sox uniform, sporting number 23 like he did for the first ten seasons of his 16 year Major League career. Tuesday, the 44 year old officially the 39th manager in franchise history. “Being where I was and being able to do this for a franchise that I love and for people that are in the organization that I love, I’m confident and I’m excited about being able to do this,” said Ventura. “Obviously I’m overjoyed about the opportunity to wear a White Sox uniform and to be the manager is an honor and I’m humbled to be able to do it.”

The press conference came barely four months after Robin was hired as a special advisor to the team that ended his six year absence from the major leagues. Ventura spent that time with his family living in Arroyo Grande. Robin sees his break as a strength because he is able to look at the game from the outside. “I’ve lived life and I’ve enjoyed it. But I’ve also enjoyed baseball and I think that helps me to be able to see beyond whether a guy got a hit or not,” added Ventura.

White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams said Robin was always at the top of his list because of his integrity, character and knowledge for the game. Despite this being Ventura’s first managerial job, the six-time gold glove third baseman is confident he can go from the hot corner to the hot seat.

Ventura is the 17th former White Sox player to become the team’s manager. The White Sox went 79-83 last season and are six years removed from a World Series title.

The White Sox open the 2012 season April 6 at the home of the Texas Rangers.

KSBY will unveil one story every day. Once all eleven nominees are announced, the public will be allowed to vote on the top local sports story of 2011.

TOP 11 STORIES OF 2011
- Meteoric rise to the Major Leagues by 22 year old Lompoc native Danny Duffy
- Chicago White Sox hiring of Central Coast resident Robin Ventura as team’s manager

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THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder and Jose Reyes were offered salary arbitration Wednesday, guaranteeing their teams two extra draft picks next year if they sign with new clubs.

Teams faced decisions on just seven Type A free agents as the Wednesday midnight ET deadline approached. A new club signing one of those players would lose a top pick in June’s amateur draft, and a team that offers arbitration and loses one of those players would get two extra selections as compensation.

Around the league:

Pujols (St. Louis), Fielder (Milwaukee) and Reyes (Mets) received offers, along with Boston designated hitter David Ortiz, Texas left-hander C.J. Wilson and Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins. They have until Nov. 30 to accept.

The Phillies declined to offer arbitration to right-hander Roy Oswalt, the only Type A player turned down.

Reliever Jonathan Papelbon, the eighth Type A player, already has left Boston to sign a US$50-million, four-year deal with the Phillies. The Red Sox will receive draft-pick compensation for losing Papelbon.

San Diego offered arbitration to closer Heath Bell, who had been a Type A player but was reclassified under Tuesday’s labour deal. If he signs elsewhere, the Padres will gain two draft picks, but Bell’s new club won’t lose any. Philadelphia made an arbitration offer to reliever Ryan Madson and Milwaukee made one to Francisco Rodriguez, who are both in the same category.

Also offered arbitration were Padres pitcher Aaron Harang, Chicago White Sox left-hander Mark Buehrle, St. Louis right-hander Edwin Jackson, Yankees right-hander Freddy Garcia, Phillies outfielder Raul Ibanez, Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena, Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez and Red Sox right-hander Dan Wheeler.

Three free agents agreed to contracts. Left-hander Bruce Chen stayed with Kansas City for a $9-million, two-year deal; outfielder Grady Sizemore remained with Cleveland for a $5-million, one-year contract; and catcher Ryan Doumit left Pittsburgh for a $3-million, one-year agreement with Minnesota.

That’s all the news for today.

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

MILWAUKEE — Chicago White Sox scout Paul Provas was inducted Tuesday into the Texas Scouts Association’s Hall of Fame.

Provas, a pro scout, was honored in a ceremony at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas. Past inductees include legendary scouts Hugh Alexander, Al Lammachia and Doug Gassaway, along with former major league general manager Eddie Robinson.

Next month, Provas will receive a similar honor from the Midwest Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame in the Kansas City area, where he grew up.

Provas was instrumental in the scouting and signings of third baseman Joe Crede and outfielder Chris Young (now with Arizona.).

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Read More: C.J. Wilson (P – TEX), John Danks (P – CWS), Neftali Feliz (P – TEX), Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox

A major-league source told Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi that the Texas Rangers could attempt to reacquire left-handed pitcher John Danks, who started his career in the Rangers organization.

The Rangers are working diligently to evaluate the available left-handed starters, a major-league source said Friday. One name that’s high on their list: Chicago White Sox southpaw John Danks, who began his career in the Texas organization. The White Sox are trying to move payroll, and Danks is a prime candidate to be dealt.

(via)

Rangers LHP C.J. Wilson is a free agent, and while the club could re-sign him, they’re working through contingency plans as well. A potential trade for Danks is one of them. The Rangers are also considering moving closer Neftali Feliz into the rotation.

For more updates on the hot stove, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more on the White Sox, check out South Side Sox, SB Nation’s Chicago White Sox blog. And for news from around major league baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

There is the quick update of the day.

NEW YORK – Clayton Kershaw, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier became
the first trio of Los Angeles Dodgers to win NL Gold Gloves in the
same year, and Adrian Gonzalez, Dustin Pedroia and Jacoby Ellsbury
became the first three Red Sox in 32 seasons to win the AL honor
together.

Kershaw became a first-time winner at pitcher when the awards
were announced Tuesday. Ethier earned his first Gold Glove in the
outfield and Kemp regained the NL award he also earned in 2009.

Gonzalez earned his first AL Gold Glove to go along with two he
won in the NL while with San Diego, Pedroia won at second base for
the first time since 2008 and Ellsbury picked up his first Gold
Glove.

“I try to be a complete player. You can always go into offense
slumps,” Gonzalez said during the awards show on ESPN2.

The previous three Red Sox to win in the same year were
shortstop Rick Burleson along with outfielders Dwight Evans and
Fred Lynn in 1979.

Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle was the lone AL holdover,
winning for the third straight year. Baltimore’s Matt Wieters won
at catcher, the Angels’ Erick Aybar at shortstop, Texas’ Adrian
Beltre at third, and Kansas City’s Alex Gordon and Baltimore’s Nick
Markakis in the outfield.

Beltre won for the third time, after gaining the award in 2007
and 2008.

The St. Louis Cardinals’ Yadier Molina became the first NL
catcher to win in four straight years since Charles Johnson from
1995-98.

Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto and second baseman Brandon
Phillips also won along with Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki,
Philadelphia third baseman Placido Polanco and Arizona outfielder
Gerardo Parra. Phillips and Tulowitzki joined Molina as the NL
holdovers, with Phillips winning for the third time in four
years.

“It just shows my hard work really played off,” Phillips said on
the show.

Polanco also won AL Gold Gloves in 2007 and 2009.

This year’s AL group displaced Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer;
Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, second baseman Robinson Cano
and shortstop Derek Jeter; Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria;
former Rays outfielder Carl Crawford; and Seattle outfielders
Ichiro Suzuki and Franklin Gutierrez.

Suzuki’s streak of Gold Gloves ended at 10. The right fielder,
who had won in every one of his big league seasons, had tied the AL
record for Gold Gloves by an outfielder shared by Ken Griffey Jr.
and Al Kaline.

Last year’s NL winners included Cardinals first baseman Albert
Pujols, Reds third baseman Scott Rolen and Colorado’s Carlos
Gonzalez and Philadelphia’s Shane Victorino joined in the outfield
by Michael Bourn, then of Houston.

Rawlings announced the winners Tuesday. Managers and coaches
vote for players in their leagues and can’t pick players on their
own teams.

Breaking with the recent format, outfielders were picked for
specific spots. The AL had Gordon in left, Ellsbury in center and
Markakis in right, and the NL had Parra in left, Kemp in center and
Ethier in right.

Beltre and Gonzalez each earned $100,000 bonuses, while Aybar
and Markakis get $75,000 apiece. Molina, Pedroia, Polanco and Votto
each receive $50,000, and Tulowitzki and Buehrle both get
$25,000.

Phillips gets an automatic $250,000 raise next season to $12.25
million under the option the Reds exercised Monday.

2011 Gold Glove Winners

American League

P – Mark Buehrle, Chicago White Sox

C – Matt Wieters, Baltimore

1B – Adrian Gonzalez, Boston

2B – Dustin Pedroia, Boston

SS – Erick Aybar, L.A. Angels

3B – Adrian Beltre, Texas

LF – Alex Gordon, Kansas City

CF – Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston

RF – Nick Markakis, Baltimore

National League

P – Clayton Kershaw, L.A. Dodgers

C – Yadier Molina, St. Louis

1B – Joey Votto, Cincinnati

2B – Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati

SS – Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado

3B – Placido Polanco, Philadelphia

LF – Gerardo Parra, Arizona

CF – Matt Kemp, L.A. Dodgers

RF – Andre Ethier, L.A. Dodgers

© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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	   2011 -- St. Louis 10, Texas 9, 11 innings, Game 6.
	   2005 -- Chicago White Sox 7, Houston 5, 14 innings, Game 3.
	   2003 -- Florida 4, New York Yankees 3, 12 innings, Game 4.
	   2001 -- New York Yankees 3, Arizona 2, 12 innings, Game 5.
	   2001 -- New York Yankees 4, Arizona 3, 10 innings, Game 4.
	   2000 -- New York Yankees 4, New York Mets 3, 12 innings, Game 1.
	   1999 -- New York Yankees 6, Atlanta 5, 10 innings, Game 3.
	   1997 -- Florida 3, Cleveland 2, 11 innings, Game 7.
	   1996 -- New York Yankees 8, Atlanta 6, 10 innings, Game 4.
	   1992 -- Toronto 4, Atlanta 3, 11 innings, Game 6.
	   1991 -- Minnesota 1, Atlanta 0, 10 innings, Game 7.
	   1991 -- Minnesota 4, Atlanta 3, 11 innings, Game 6.
	   1991 -- Atlanta 5, Minnesota 4, 12 innings, Game 3.
	   1990 -- Cincinnati 5, Oakland 4, 10 innings, Game 2.
	   1986 -- New York Mets 6, Boston 5, 10 innings, Game 6.
	   1980 -- Kansas City 4, Philadelphia 3, 10 innings, Game 3.
	   1978 -- New York Yankees 4, Los Angeles 3, 10 innings, Game 4.
	   1977 -- New York Yankees 4, Los Angeles 3, 12 innings, Game 1.
	   1975 -- Boston 7, Cincinnati 6, 12 innings, Game 6.
	   1975 -- Cincinnati 6, Boston 5, 10 innings, Game 3.
	   1973 -- Oakland 3, New York Mets 2, 11 innings, Game 3.
	   1973 -- New York Mets 10, Oakland 7, 12 innings, Game 2.
	   1971 -- Baltimore 3, Pittsburgh 2, 10 innings, Game 6.
	   1969 -- New York Mets 2, Baltimore 1, 10 innings, Game 4.
	   1964 -- St. Louis 5, New York Yankees 2, 10 innings, Game 5.
	   1958 -- New York Yankees 4, Milwaukee 3, 10 innings, Game 6.
	   1958 -- Milwaukee 4, New York Yankees 3, 10 innings, Game 1.
	   1957 -- Milwaukee 7, New York Yankees 5, 10 innings, Game 4.
	   1956 -- Brooklyn 1, New York Yankees 0, 10 innings, Game 6.
	   1954 -- New York Giants 5, Cleveland 2, 10 innings, Game 1.
	   1952 -- Brooklyn 6, New York Yankees 5, 11 innings, Game 5.
	   1950 -- New York Yankees 2, Philadelphia Phillies 1, 10 innings, Game 2.
	   1946 -- Boston Red Sox 3, St. Louis Cardinals 2, 10 innings, Game 1.
	   1945 -- Chicago Cubs 8, Detroit 7, 12 innings, Game 6.
	   1944 -- St. Louis Cardinals 3, St. Louis Browns 2, 11 innings, Game 1.
	   1939 -- New York Yankees 7, Cincinnati 4, 10 innings, Game 4.
	   1936 -- New York Giants 5, New York Yankees 4, 10 innings, Game 5.
	   1935 -- Detroit 6, Chicago Cubs 5, 11 innings, Game 3.
	   1934 -- Detroit 3, St. Louis Cardinals 2, 12 innings, Game 2.
	   1933 -- New York Giants 4, Washington 3, 10 innings, Game 5
	   1933 -- New York Giants 2, Washington 1, 11 innings, Game 4.
	   1926 -- New York Yankees 3, St. Louis Cardinals 2, 10 innings, Game 5.
	   1924 -- Washington 4, New York Giants 3, 12 innings, Game 7.
	   1924 -- New York Giants 4, Washington 3, 12 innings, Game 1.
	   1922 -- New York Giants 3, New York Yankess 3, tie, 10 innings, Game 2.
	   1919 -- Chicago White Sox 5, Cincinnati 4, 10 innings, Game 6.
	   1916 -- Boston Red Sox 2, Brooklyn 1, 14 innings, Game 2.
	   1914 -- Boston Braves 5, Philadelphia Athletics 4, 12 innings, Game 3.
	   1913 -- New York Giants 3, Philadelphia Athletics 0, 10 innings, Game 2.
	   1912 -- Boston Red Sox 3, New York Giants 2, 10 innings, Game 8.
	   1912 -- Boston Red Sox 6, New York Giants 6, tie, 11 innings, Game 2.
	   1911 -- New York Giants 4, Philadelphia Athletics 3, 10 innings, Game 5.
	   1911 -- Philadelphia Athletics 3, New York Giants 2, 11 innings, Game 3.
	   1910 -- Chicago Cubs 4, Philadelphia Athletics 3, 10 innings, Game 4.
	   1907 -- Chicago Cubs 3, Detroit 3, tie, 12 innings, Game 1.
	   

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Read More: Paul Konerko (1B – CWS), Matt Thornton (P – CWS), Alexei Ramirez (SS – CWS), Mike Trout (CF – ANA), Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox vice president and assistant general manager Rick Hahn will interview for the vacant GM job for the Los Angeles Angels, according to Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports. That brings the total number of interviews to at least five:

In addition to those five, Thad Levine has been mentioned in numerous reports as a candidate for the Angels, but they would have to wait until the conclusion of World Series as Levine is currently the assistant GM for the Texas Rangers.

Hahn has been with the White Sox for the last 11 years, assisting GM Kenny Williams with player evaluations, roster composition, contract negotiations, trades, as well as overseeing the baseball operations staff, including scouting and player development. Hahn has been credited with negotiating multi-year deals with current White Sox Mark Buehrle, Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramirez, and Matt Thornton.

Baseball America in 2010 ranked Hahn as the top GM candidate in baseball. Hahn was also tops in a similar feature by Sport Illustrated in July, in which Hahn joked, “if there was a way to trade me for Mike Trout, I’m guessing Kenny would drive me to the airport to make sure that deal goes through — and I would understand.”

Not that Hahn would cost an uber prospect like Trout, but that was some nice foreshadowing.

For more on Angels baseball, head to Halos Heaven.

That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

The Chicago White Sox officially introduced Central Coast native Robin Ventura on Tuesday as the team’s new manager. The Arroyo Grande resident said he was humbled and honored with the position, and vowed to be himself.

The Righetti High graduate returned to a White Sox uniform, sporting number 23 like he did for the first ten seasons of his 16 year Major League career. Tuesday, the 44 year old officially the 39th manager in franchise history. “Being where I was and being able to do this for a franchise that I love and for people that are in the organization that I love, I’m confident and I’m excited about being able to do this,” said Ventura. “Obviously I’m overjoyed about the opportunity to wear a White Sox uniform and to be the manager is an honor and I’m humbled to be able to do it.”

The press conference came barely four months after Robin was hired as a special advisor to the team that ended his six year absence from the major leagues. Ventura spent that time with his family living in Arroyo Grande. Robin sees his break as a strength because he is able to look at the game from the outside. “I’ve lived life and I’ve enjoyed it. But I’ve also enjoyed baseball and I think that helps me to be able to see beyond whether a guy got a hit or not,” added Ventura.

White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams said Robin was always at the top of his list because of his integrity, character and knowledge for the game. Despite this being Ventura’s first managerial job, the six-time gold glove third baseman is confident he can go from the hot corner to the hot seat. “I think later in my career it was something that was evident I felt that I could do it. And I still feel confident that I can do it.”

Ventura played for a list of managers that includes Bobby Valentine, Jim Tracy and Joe Torre. He plans to use his experiences with them in his new role. He said he received plenty of congratulatory calls from former teammates and veterans over the last few days. “The best piece of advice is be yourself and that’s going to be pretty simple for me because I don’t plan on changing a whole lot.”

One could say it is the start of the next chapter in Ventura’s South Side Story.

Ventura is the 17th former White Sox player to become the team’s manager. The White Sox went 79-83 last season and are six years removed from a World Series title.

The White Sox open the 2012 season April 6 at the home of the Texas Rangers.

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MINNEAPOLIS — Jake Peavy struck out a season-high nine, and Alex Rios homered to help the Chicago White Sox to a 3-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.

The White Sox, who have won three in a row since being swept by the Tigers, grabbed second place in the American League Central, eight games behind the Tigers. The Indians are 8 1/2 games back.

“We’re still in the pennant race,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. “I know it’s going to be hard. … One thing about it, we’re not going to quit.”

Peavy (7-7) allowed four hits and two walks in 6 1/3 innings against a club that had three players called up from Double-A in the past two days.

Alejandro De Aza had two hits, including a triple, and an RBI, and Sergio Santos got his 29th save for the White Sox, who have won eight of 12.

Liam Hendriks (0-1) allowed three runs and four hits over seven innings in his major league debut. Chris Parmelee had two hits in his first game as a pro, but the Twins lost for the 14th time in 17 games.

The White Sox are in the middle of a stretch of 28 straight games against the AL Central, but they have only three games left against the Tigers (Sept. 12-14 in Chicago).

Boston 14, Toronto 0: Jon Lester struck out 11 in seven innings, Marco Scutaro and David Ortiz each had four hits, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Josh Reddick homered for the visiting Red Sox. Lester (15-6) allowed three singles and walked one to improve to 4-0 with a 1.16 ERA in five starts since losing at Minnesota on Aug. 10.

Texas 8, Tampa Bay 0: C.J. Wilson pitched a five-hitter, and David Murphy had four hits and four RBIs for the visiting Rangers. Wilson (15-6) matched his career high in wins from last year and became the first Texas left-hander with 15 or more wins in consecutive seasons. Kinsler tied his own team record, set in 2009, with his seventh leadoff homer this season in the first. He has 26 homers this year, including five in his past six games.

That’s all for today.

MINNEAPOLIS — Jake Peavy struck out a season-high nine and Alex Rios homered to help the Chicago White Sox to a 3-0 victory against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.

Peavy (7-7) allowed four hits and walked two in 6 1/3 innings against a Twins team that had three players who were called up from Double-A in the last two days.

Alejandro De Aza had two hits, including a triple, and an RBI, and Sergio Santos picked up his 29th save for the White Sox, who have won three in a row and eight of 12.

Liam Hendriks (0-1) allowed three runs and four hits over seven innings in his major league debut. Chris Parmelee had two hits in his first game as a pro, but the Twins lost for the 14th time in 17 games.

Paul Konerko, who hasn’t hit a homer in his last 60 at-bats, got a much-needed day off, but the White Sox still managed to scratch together enough offense for Peavy. Brent Morel added an RBI single as the Sox beat the Twins for the eighth time in the past nine games in the series.

The White Sox are in the middle of a stretch of 28 straight games against the AL Central, but they only have three games left against division-leading Detroit. The Tigers beat the Indians 10-1 on Tuesday night, keeping the White Sox eight games back. Full Story

Tigers 10, Indians 1

CLEVELAND — Victor Martinez and the Detroit Tigers are taking nothing for granted. That attitude has them rolling over their closest challengers.

Martinez drove in three runs and the Tigers beat Cleveland to drop the Indians 8½ games back in the AL Central.

While the Tigers have not yet secured their first division title since winning the AL East in 1987, they are closing in on the Central crown after pushing around both the Indians and Chicago White Sox.

Detroit has won five straight and is 15-4 since Aug. 19. The Tigers arrived in Cleveland following a three-game series sweep against Chicago and now have won their last six meetings with the Indians after the Tribe took six of the first eight.

Mariners 2, Angels 1

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Felix Hernandez pitched eight innings of four-hit ball to win at Angel Stadium for the first time since 2006, and the Seattle Mariners snapped a five-game skid and slowed the Los Angeles Angels’ playoff surge with a victory.

Justin Smoak and Kyle Seager scored unearned runs for the Mariners, who had lost 18 of their last 21 games at Angel Stadium before Hernandez (14-11) outdueled Ervin Santana and silenced the Angels’ improved lineup for his sixth victory in eight starts.

Alberto Callaspo drove in an unearned run for the Angels, who committed four errors and dropped 3½ games behind Texas in the AL West standings. The loss was just the Angels’ second at home since Aug. 17.

The Rangers pounded Tampa Bay 8-0 earlier Tuesday. Los Angeles was a season-high 13 games over .500 after Monday’s win over the Mariners, but still faces an uphill climb in the regular season’s final three weeks to make the playoffs for the seventh time in 10 seasons.

Royals 7, Athletics 4

OAKLAND, Calif. — Eric Hosmer and Jeff Francoeur hit back-to-back home runs in the second inning, Danny Duffy won for the first time in more than a month and Kansas City beat Oakland for the second successive game.

Salvador Perez added three hits while six players drove in runs for the Royals, who have scored 29 runs in their past three road games.

Jemille Weeks had three hits and two RBI for Oakland, which has dropped two straight after sweeping Seattle over the weekend.

Duffy (4-8) allowed only four hits and had four strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings in what is likely his final start of the year. Joakim Soria worked the ninth for his 26th save.

Gio Gonzalez (12-12) gave up a career-high 10 hits and walked three for the A’s.

Reds 4, Cubs 2 (13)

CHICAGO — Joey Votto hit a tiebreaking RBI double in the 13th inning and the Cincinnati Reds rebounded after blowing a two-run lead in the ninth.

Reds starter Mike Leake was closing in on his first career shutout and was one out away from a one-hitter when Starlin Castro reached on a two-out single and pinch-hitter Bryan LaHair drove a 2-0 pitch over the wall in right for Chicago’s third hit of the game and his first home run since Sept. 20, 2008, for the Seattle Mariners.

Leake bent over on the front of the mound as LaHair rounded the bases with the tying shot, but the Reds eventually recovered for their third win in nine games.

Dave Sappelt hit a leadoff double against John Grabow (3-1) in the 13th inning and Votto followed with his second run-scoring double of the game. Miguel Cairo added a two-out RBI single to make it 4-2.

Astros 4, Pirates 1

PITTSBURGH — Brett Myers pitched into the eighth inning to earn his first victory in 2½ months.

Myers (4-13) allowed one run and four hits over 7 2/3 innings at soggy, chilly PNC Park as last-place Houston snapped a four-game losing streak. The right-hander had lost seven consecutive decisions since he pitched a four-hitter in a 7-3 victory at the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 17.

Humberto Quintero had three RBI and Jimmy Paredes finished with three hits for the Astros, who have four of their last five against Pittsburgh but are 2-9 in their past 11 against everyone else.

Ryan Doumit hit a home run for Pittsburgh, which has lost two of three and seven of 10.

What do you guys think about this.

Chicago White Sox starter John Danks pitches during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Chicago, on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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