White Sox Claim AL Central

Pitching once again on three days' rest, young southpaw John Danks allowed a meager two hits in eight innings and veteran slugger Jim Thome launched a LONG home run as the Chicago White Sox won the American League Central division title last night with a 1-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins. The Sox improbably defeated a third different team in three consecutive days to capture the crown after the team looked to be dead following a three-game sweep last week at the Metrodome. But the Twins, who lost two of three at home to Kansas City, could not put the final nail in the coffin this past weekend and were unable to win in front of Chicago's raucous crowd. Young right-hander Nick Blackburn nearly matched Danks, but Thome was able to connect on a solo homer to lead off the seventh to provide all the scoring the Sox would need. The South Siders now join the North Side Cubbies in the playoffs for the first time in the same season since...1906...the year the Sox beat the Cubs a crosstown series that more than a few fans are dying to see this year. I certainly consider myself lucky in operating out of the Windy City.