Morning Box Score

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Jun 24, 2009 3:00PM

Dodgers Make Sox Blue
John Danks gave the White Sox his third straight quality start, but it wasn't enough to deliver a win as the Sox bullpen and bats couldn't hold up their end of the bargain and the Sox fell 5-2. Danks was rough early, giving up three runs in the first two innings, but then settled down and held the Dodgers scoreless for the remainder of his seven innings. But his early stumbles, including a two-run homer given up to LA's James Loney in the second, were too much for the Sox to overcome. Matt Thornton gave up two runs in relief in the eighth to help LA along to victory. Of course, credit is also due to LA's starter, Hiroki Kuroda, who held the Sox to two runs on four hits over 8.2 innings. Paul Konerko provided an offensive spark early for the Sox with a solo homer in the second, but the Sox couldn't get much going after that. Game two of the three game set gets underway tonight at 7:11 p.m. (WCIU).

Tigers Slip Past Cubs
One of the biggest stories this offseason for the Cubs was: who would be the closer? Instead of promoting the up-and-down Carlos Marmol, the Cubs shelled out for closer Kevin Gregg. This morning, the Cubs have to be rethinking that decision after Gregg suffered another blown save, giving up a walk-off homer to Detroit pinch-hitter Ryan Raburn as the Tigers topped the Cubs 5-4. Starter Carlos Zambrano gave up three runs over seven innings but was in line for the win thanks to a two-run homer by Micah Hoffpauir. It all went down the tubes in the ninth, though, as Gregg blew his third save of the season by giving up the game winner homer. With Gregg at 2-2 with 11 saves and a 4.18 ERA, the Cubs have to wonder if they're getting their money's worth at the closer position. Marmol hasn't been exactly lights out either with three blown saves of his own, but at 2-1 and a 3.48 ERA and 14 holds, maybe it's time to give the younger, cheaper closer option another shot. Game two is tonight at 6:05 p.m. (CSN).

Fire Top Chivas
The Fire continued an undefeated run in SuperLiga play by defeating Chivas USA 1-0 last night. Using mainly reserves for the match, the Fire got a goal in the 35th minute from Justin Mapp to go up 1-0 which is all they would need. At 2-0-0, the Fire remain in first place in group play for SuperLiga and close out the opening round on Saturday against Tigres at Toyota Park.