SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -Chicago White Sox left-hander John Danks thinks he's finally finding his groove.
Danks pitched five shutout innings and Carlos Quentin hit his first homer of spring training, but the San Francisco Giants scored four runs in the eighth and went on to a 6-4 victory Thursday.
``This is the first outing in a couple I've made some progression,' Danks said. ``I was just struggling to throw the ball where I wanted to. Even the games when I had good results, I didn't feel sharp. This is definitely a big step.'
Giants first baseman Jesus Guzman made a diving stop on a groundball to his right with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the ninth inning, preventing the tying runs from scoring. He had game-winning home runs in his two previous games.
``He's been winning games with his bat. Today he won it with his glove,' San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said.
Danks gave up four singles and struck out five while walking one. He has given up only one run in his last two starts after being tagged for five earned runs in two innings on March 9 against Cleveland.
``To pitch five scoreless and to feel better than I have all spring, its definitely a little boost for me. I feel like I'm getting stronger each time out,' Danks said.
White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko doubled in a run in a two-run first inning off Giants starter Matt Cain and hit a solo homer in the sixth. He has 10 RBIs.
``It's a long spring. You take it easy early on. Now it's time to go to the whip, I guess,' Konerko said. ``Putting the ball in the air is a good indicator that I feel good. When I'm hitting the ball on the ground, I'm not helping anybody.'
Guzman was credited with the go-ahead RBI in the Giants' four-run eighth inning when rookie second baseman Gordon Beckham missed a throw from third on a potential inning-ending double play grounder, enabling two runs to score to break a 4-all tie. Guzman has a team-high 12 RBIs.
San Francisco has been held scoreless in the first five innings of its last three games facing Danks, the Cubs' Ryan Dempster and Milwaukee's Jeff Suppan.
``We're going to have to figure out a way to get some runs on the board,' San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said.
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