Morning Box Score

By Matt Motyka in News on Jul 18, 2009 3:30PM

Sox Outscore Orioles
The Sox flexed their offensive muscle in a 12-8 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday. Jim Thome was the hero for Chicago, hitting a three-run homer in the fifth to break a 3-3 tie and then adding a grand slam in the sixth to put the Sox comfortably ahead. Thome’s career-high seven RBI helped earn John Danks the win, who exited after allowing three runs, seven hits and three walks in five frames. Among the Sox’s other offensive contributors were Scott Podsednik, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with two walks, and Paul Konerko, who gave the South Siders their first run of the game with a solo shot in the second inning. The Sox again play host to the Orioles at 3:05 this afternoon.

Cubs Shut Down Nats
Early offense and stingy pitching were the dominant traits of the Cubs’ 3-1 victory over the Washington Nationals Friday night. Starter Carlos Zambrano drove home more runs than he allowed, permitting only one unearned through five innings while plating two with a clutch double in the second. Add to that a solo shot from Aramis Ramirez in the third and four solid innings of relief by the bullpen, and the Cubs are now 2-for-2 coming out of the break. Micah Hoffpauir got the start in left—and made a spectacular diving catch on a foul ball in the stands—after it was revealed that Alfonso Soriano will miss the next few games with a dislocated finger. The Cubs will look to take the four-game series with a win tonight at 6:05.

AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast