CHICAGO -- After getting roughed up last month in a start at Houston, John Danks decided to break down his delivery and make a number of mechanical changes. Cheap Minnesota Wild Jerseys . The result has been a remarkable turnaround, which Danks continued with seven solid innings Wednesday night as the Chicago White Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 8-2. "Ive probably thrown more bullpens probably in the last month than I have in the last couple years," Danks said. "Its been good." Jose Abreu hit an early homer off Detroit starter Justin Verlander, then singled to start a seven-run burst in the sixth inning that gave Danks all the support he needed as the White Sox won for the second straight time against the AL Central-leaders. Abreu went 3 for 4 with a walk and scored twice. The Cuban rookie has 19 home runs and 50 RBIs this season. Abreu has been the catalyst behind the surprising White Sox (33-33) staying within striking distance, but the star in this game was the crafty left-hander and his 80 mph (or slower) changeup. Danks (5-5) allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings. He has permitted just five runs in 29 1-3 innings over his past four starts since allowing eight runs (seven earned) in 4 2-3 innings at Houston last month. "I think Johnny has really picked it up," manager Robin Ventura said. "He went through a period where he wasnt commanding his fastball and changeup. He made some adjustments and hes really been different since then, not only with control but it seems like his velocity has some zip to it and his changeup looks better." Verlander (6-6) gave up seven runs and eight hits in 5 2-3 innings as the Tigers lost their third in a row. "His stuff again was good. He just couldnt muscle through a couple innings there," Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said. "I dont really know how to explain it. His stuff was good again." The seven runs in an inning matched a season high for Chicago. The White Sox also scored seven on May 9 against Arizona. Abreu connected on Verlanders first pitch of the second inning for a solo homer over the left-centre field wall. Detroit tied it in the fourth when Miguel Cabrera doubled and scored on a groundout by Torii Hunter. Singles by Abreu, Adam Dunn and Alexei Ramirez loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth. Dayan Viciedo grounded into a double play and Abreu scored for a 2-1 lead. It appeared as if Verlander might escape with just one run scoring, but Alejandro De Aza followed with a bloop single for a run, and Adrian Nieto and Adam Eaton drew walks to load the bases. That brought up Gordon Beckham, and Detroit manager Brad Ausmus kept Verlander in the game despite the right-hander having thrown 121 pitches to that point. The next pitch was a 96 mph fastball that Beckham lined for a two-run single. "We led off with three singles, guys getting on base against Verlander," Beckham said. "Youve got to have guys out there because not a lot of guys hit homers, unless your names Jose." Reliever Ian Krol faced three batters and retired no one. He gave up a two-run double to Conor Gillaspie and -- following an intentional walk to Abreu -- an RBI single to Dunn. "I need to limit the walks. That one huge inning, I walked a few guys and gave up a couple weak hits and turned it in to a big inning myself when it shouldnt have been," Verlander said. With the way Danks was pitching, the cushion was more than enough. "Im just trying to take it out to the field with me, and so far, so good," he said. "But Im not going to rest on my laurels and Im going to get ready for my next start. Ive been humbled in this game before, so Im going to try and keep from doing that before." NOTES: Cabrera (left hamstring) said he was feeling better Wednesday, but Ausmus decided to keep the slugger at DH. "Give him another day," Ausmus said. "We dont want this lingering." ... The White Sox have signed nine of their first 10 draft picks so far, with the lone holdout being LHP Carlos Rodon, the No. 3 pick overall. ... The Tigers decided to skip LHP Drew Smyly and keep the matchup between Max Scherzer (7-2) and Chris Sale (5-0) for the series finale Thursday. Smyly, originally scheduled to pitch Wednesday, will pitch Friday against Minnesota. Cheap MLB Jerseys . LOUIS -- Bosnia-Herzogovina made its second appearance in St. Cheap Jacksonville Jaguars Jerseys .A. Happs turn to play in the ongoing game of hot potato, better known as the competition to determine who will comprise the back end of the Blue Jays starting rotation.NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans Pelicans and Louisiana-based Smoothie King have reached a 10-year agreement to rename the New Orleans Arena as the Smoothie King Center. Pelicans President Dennis Lauscha said such a deal had been a "gigantic" piece of owner Tom Bensons business plan since he bought the long-struggling small-market franchise from the NBA in the spring of 2012. "Finding a naming rights partner was key to the long-term financial viability of this franchise in this market," Lauscha said. Benson, who has owned the Saints since 1985, purchased citys NBA franchise — formerly called the Hornets — for $338 million and has consolidated the headquarters and many of the business operations of both clubs. The hope was that with the two franchises sharing resources and cross-promoting one another, the region could better support two major professional sports teams. Officials with both the club and Smoothie King declined to release financial terms of the deal, which also gives Smoothie King an option for a 10-year extension. Smoothie King owner Wan Kim said sponsoring an NBA arena in New Orleans helps his company demonstrate its commitment to the community where it is based while promoting its brand globally. Smoothie King, founded in suburban New Orleans in 1973, has 674 locations in 31 states and in Asia, and is looking to expand both nationally and overseas, Smoothie King President Tom OKeefe said. Of 30 NBA cities, 21 currently have Smoothie King franchises, he said. The arena is officially being renamed on Thursday, in time for next weeks NBA All-Star festivities in New Orleans. Kim, a native of South Korea who attended college and business school in the United States, bought the company in July 2012. He said he initially considered moving its headquarters to Atlantta or Dallas. cheap nfl jerseys. "I started to realize a lot of people who live in New Orleans, for them, its very difficult to leave the city," Kim said. "Its a very different city. Its very unique, culturally, and I did start to see why people didnt want to move. "At the same time, I did feel our root is here and I shouldnt give up on that," Kim said. "Not only did we decide not to move out, but we are pretty much telling you (with the naming rights deal) that our group is here and we are sticking with it." As part of the agreement, Smoothie King will be airing commercials during Pelicans broadcasts, as well as sponsoring pregame and postgame segments. The companys smoothies will also be available at concession stands around the arena. Team officials said there were "two or three" other candidates for a naming rights deal, but that Smoothie Kings interests seemed most aligned with the Bensons goals of promoting the business climate in his home state. "Theres no more perfect story to say how businesses can root themselves in New Orleans and grow," said Rita Benson LeBlanc, Bensons granddaughter and a part owner of the Pelicans and Saints. She added that the agreement is "a testament to how New Orleans has recovered (from Hurricane Katrina) and how Louisiana is redefining itself as an economic development engine." The deal might have been completed before this season began, but because Smoothie King products contain nutritional supplements, NBA rules required that all of the companys products be tested to ensure there were no banned substances. LeBlanc said that process took about eight months. "We couldnt have any question as to what are the contents of the products that Smoothie King actually offers," LeBlanc said. wholesale nfl jerseyswholesale jerseys ' ' '
