Danks gets early hook as White Sox fall

Right-hander allows seven runs in 2 1/3; trio hit solo homers

CHICAGO -- Having your first reliever into the game throw more pitches than the respective starter is never a good sign for a team. But that exact scenario played out for the White Sox during Wednesday's 12-5 shellacking at the hands of the Twins at a cold U.S. Cellular Field.

John Danks, who was so impressive in his first start exactly one week ago at Progressive Field, allowed seven runs on seven hits over 2 1/3 innings, walking three and striking out two. Danks struggled from the outset, with the first five hitters reaching base, but a pickoff of leadoff man Carlos Gomez held the Twins' first-inning output to two runs.

Minnesota (4-5) scored five in the third and then added five in the sixth, with Jason Kubel's grand slam off of Nick Masset pretty much putting a halt to a potential comeback by the White Sox (5-3) and ending their five-game win streak. For the night, Danks threw 69 pitches while Masset, working 3 2/3 innings in long relief, finished with 71.

The White Sox put together a brief rally via the long ball against Scott Baker (2-0). Nick Swisher (second), Paul Konerko (first) and Joe Crede (third) led off the third through the fifth with solo shots, but the White Sox could not muster any further offense.

-Scott Merkin MLB.com