Jim Thome hit a three-run homer and John Danks worked efficiently into the seventh inning, helping the Chicago White Sox to a 5-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night.

The White Sox remained a game ahead of the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central, while the Tigers dropped 8 1/2 games out of first place.

Danks (9-4) allowed one run on four hits over 6 2-3 innings, giving the White Sox a lift after they used seven relievers in a 14-inning win over Detroit the previous night. Danks struck out six and walked one, leaving to a standing ovation in the seventh.

D.J. Carrasco got one out in relief, Octavio Dotel pitched a perfect eighth and Bobby Jenks a scoreless ninth to preserve the win.