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CHICAGO -- Jordan Danks and the Chicago White Sox are having a lot of fun these days. Its quite a change from a large chunk of the disappointing year. Danks hit a clutch two-run single in Chicagos three-run eighth inning, leading the White Sox to a 4-3 win over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night. Danks finished with a career-high three hits as the White Sox won for the ninth time in 11 games, bouncing back from a difficult loss in the series opener. Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramirez and Avisail Garcia had two hits apiece. "Its a lot of fun. It kind of reminds you of last year and how fun that was," said Danks, who extended his hitting streak to nine games. "Even though we didnt pull that out in the end it was a lot more loose and this is how we know how to play. "Obviously we havent done it the whole year but we know this is how we can play and were very excited about it." Matt Dominguez had three hits and two RBIs for the Astros, who had won three of four. Dominguez and Chris Carter hit consecutive two-out homers off closer Addison Reed to give Houston a 10-8 victory on Monday night. The Astros appeared to be headed to their second straight win over the White Sox before the rally in the eighth. With two outs and runners on first and second, Konerko singled in Jeff Keppinger to cut Houstons lead to 3-2. Garcias infield hit then loaded the bases for Danks, who put the White Sox in front with a single to centre off Erik Bedard (3-10). Reed then came in and worked the ninth for his 36th save in 41 tries. Robbie Grossman had a two-out double for his third hit, but Reed got L.J. Hoes to bounce out to shortstop to end the game. Donnie Veal (2-3) got one out for the win. "Winning is fun. I mean, any time were winning were having a good time," Reed said. "Things have been good around here lately." White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana allowed three runs and eight hits over 7 2-3 innings in his 16th no-decision, tops in the majors. "I felt great the past three starts," Quintana said through a translator. "The only thing I concentrate on is giving the team the opportunity to win and battling. And thats what weve been doing -- battling and fighting. I cant be happier to do that." Dominguez had an RBI double in the fourth and a run-scoring single in the sixth. Carter hit an RBI single off Jake Petricka in the eighth, making it 3-1. But Bedard, who was making his third relief appearance in 26 games this season, couldnt hold onto the lead. "I was actually trying to get him to go ahead and finish it," manager Bo Porter said. "Hes built up, hes been starting all year. And you look at where were with their lineup, with the number of lefties in it. Hes able to get lefties and righties out, you feel pretty good that Erik Bedard had the ball in that situation." Paul Clemens pitched six sharp innings for Houston in his first career start. The right-hander, who was recalled Tuesday from Triple-A Oklahoma City, allowed one run and four hits and was in line for the win. Clemens made his first 30 appearances of his rookie year out of the bullpen, compiling a 4-4 record and 6.36 ERA. Porter said Clemens will remain in the rotation for the rest of the season. "Its an honour, its a privilege," Clemens said. "Just got to continue to work." Thats what the White Sox are doing, albeit well too late to save their season. They managed to get back on track after a sloppy performance in the series opener. "It was different from last night," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "I think defensively and just decision-making was better tonight." NOTES: Grossman singled in the first to extend his hitting streak to 14 games. . INF Leury Garcia, acquired from Texas in the Alex Rios trade, made his first start for the White Sox, batting ninth and playing second base. Ventura said Garcia, who went 0 for 3, likely will start Wednesday at shortstop, giving Ramirez his first day off of the season. ... To make room for Clemens, the Astros optioned RHP David Martinez to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Martinez, who was 1-0 with a 5.86 ERA, pitched 2 2-3 innings for Mondays win. Porter said Martinez will return after the Triple-A playoffs. . Wednesdays pitching matchup is Houstons Jarred Cosart (1-1, 1.60 ERA) against Chris Sale (9-12, 3.08 ERA). Wholesale Jerseys China . Its the second straight year he has decided not to play as he cuts back his schedule. Stricker was replaced in the field by Ryo Ishikawa of Japan. Authentic Jerseys Sale . Louis Cardinals for the National League Wild Card, are in the drivers seat as they open the final series of the regular season, but they face a large task in the form of the Philadelphia Phillies. http://www.nflauthenticjerseyscheapchina.com/ .C. -- Kurt Busch put his chances at "70 per cent" at running the Indianapolis 500 this year because of recent developments that have pushed a potential program along. Wholesale Adidas Hockey Jerseys .ca Fantasy Editor Scott Cullen, NFL Editor Ben Fisher, and Isaac Owusu discuss three hot fantasy football topics. NFL Jerseys Cheap . In the other Group A game, the Czech Republic stunned Canada, 5-4 in a shootout. Dominik Simon scored the deciding goal in the tiebreaker. The United States scored its first three goals on power plays. "Overall, I love to see the power-play goals we were able to get tonight," said U.SAN DIEGO -- Andrew Cashner was back on the mound for the San Diego Padres, who found just enough offence late in the game to beat the Washington Nationals. Yonder Alonso homered with two outs in the ninth inning to tie the game and Cameron Maybin hit an RBI bloop single with two outs in the 11th to give the Padres a 4-3 victory Saturday night. Chase Headley started the winning rally when he singled to left with two outs off Craig Stammen (0-2). Alonso walked before Maybin singled in front of right-fielder Jayson Werth. Headley easily beat the throw home. "I managed to get just enough bat on it," Maybin said. "It feels real great. Were grinding, man. It was bigger to get a win tonight. Weve been scuffling but weve been battling every night. For me it was huge because we have a chance to win the series tomorrow." Joaquin Benoit (2-0) pitched a perfect 11th for the win. Alonso tied the game at 3 in the ninth when he homered into the Jack Daniels party deck atop the right-field wall on a 1-1 pitch from Rafael Soriano. It was Alonsos fifth homer and Sorianos second blown save in 14 opportunities. Alonsos shot denied Washington rookie Blake Treinen his first big league win. Treinen was on track for the win after Ian Desmond hit a 432-foot, two-run home run with two outs in the seventh inning to give the Nationals a 3-2 lead. Cashner left with a 2-0 lead after six innings in his return from the disabled list. The tall Texan allowed only two hits, struck out five and walked one on 70 pitches. Out since mid-May with a sore right elbow, Cashner retired his final 16 batters and lowered his ERA to 2.13. "Its good having him back out there," Maybin said. "Hes a bulldog. Were confident whenever that guys out there." Cashner got in trouble in the first inning when the Nationals had runners on second and third with one out. But catcher Rene Rivera threw out Kevin Frandsen when he strayed too far off third and Ryan Zimmerman forced Adam LaRoche at second to end the inning. "It was fun to get back," Cashner said. "First inning there was a little trouble, buut it was a big throw by Rene getting that out there.dddddddddddd I think my fastball had the most movement Ive had in a long time." Nick Vincent replaced Cashner and surrendered the lead in a span of five batters. LaRoche doubled with one out and scored on Ryan Zimmermans double to right. With two outs, Desmond homered well over the 396 sign in centre field. The Padres had the potential winning run on second after Rivera doubled off the left-field wall with one out in the 10th. Chris Denorfia struck out and Everth Cabrera flied out to left. Rivera was stranded at third in the eighth after he doubled to left and was sacrificed by pinch-hitter Denorfia. Cabrera flied out to centre and Carlos Quentin, pinch-hitting for left-hander Will Venable against righty Tyler Clippard, struck out. Treinen was making his third career start. He allowed two runs and five hits in six innings, struck out one and walked one. After his last start on May 22 his spot was skipped due to two days off. San Diego took a 2-0 lead against the rookie in the fourth on RBI doubles by Headley and Maybin. "I felt good physically," Treinen said. "I felt like I was getting myself in trouble by getting behind in counts. But I made pitches when I needed to and then in that one inning I threw some pitches out over the plate." NOTES: The Padres drafted Johnny Manziel, the Cleveland Browns quarterback and 2012 Heisman Trophy winner while at Texas A&M, in the 28th round of the MLB draft, the 837th player taken. ... The Nationals drafted Ryan Ripken, the son of Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., in the 15th round. ... Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon sat out with a sore right hand. He was struck trying to field Carlos Quentins smash in the fourth inning and committed a throwing error. He committed a fielding error the next inning. Manager Matt Williams said Rendons hand was swollen and "pretty sore." ... To make room for Cashner, LHP Jason Lane was designated for assignment. ... The series concludes Sunday when RHP Jordan Zimmermann (4-2, 3.59) is scheduled to start against lefty Eric Stults (2-6, 5.03). ' ' '