John Danks was the hard-luck loser Wednesday night, as the Los Angeles Angels squeaked out a 3-2 win over the White Sox.
And if you hadn’t noticed, “hard luck” is being put in the same sentence as “John Danks” far too often this season.
In each of his last three starts, Danks has turned in quality outings – only to find himself on the wrong end of the decision. But the young left-hander has a simple plan on how to reverse this trend.
“Just go out there and keep doing what I’m doing, try to get us a chance to win,” Danks said. “It will turn around for us. It has to. We’re way too talented to keep on losing games like this.”
Seven of Danks’ eight starts have been quality and he currently holds a 2.26 ERA, good for fifth in the American League. The problem has been that even one mistake has proven fatal, considering his lack of run support. The Sox have tallied just four runs combined in his last three tough losses.
That mistake Wednesday was allowing a two-run home run to Torii Hunter in the fourth inning that erased a 1-0 Sox advantage.
“I gave in to a guy 2-0. I shouldn’t have given in like that, but you know, that’s baseball,” Danks said. “If he pops that ball up, we’re not talking about it.
Again, he’s a good hitter and I made a mistake and he hit it.”
Danks said his approach on the mound doesn’t change when his offense isn’t hitting.
“We go into every game trying to throw shutouts anyway,” he said.
“We outhit them 6-3 and found a way to lose,” catcher A.J. Pierzynski said. “It’s a shame. The way he’s thrown the ball, he should have 5, 6, 7 wins. He’s been pretty money for us all year.”
