ATLANTA - The Chicago White sox slugger Jim Thome hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to break a tie and help the defending World Series champions to a 6-3 win Friday night over the Atlanta Braves.
His 399-foot go-ahead homer came off non-roster left-hander Brian O'Connor, who also allowed an RBI single to Andy Gonzalez in the ninth.
The Braves took a 3-2 lead two unearned runs on three Chicago errors off Chicago starter Charlie Haeger, who allowed five hits, walked two and struck out five in 4 2-3 innings.
Atlanta got two runs in the first on an RBI single by Andruw Jones. An error set up another run. The Braves scored an unearned run in the third on a run-scoring grounder by Jeff Francoeur.
Chicago's Paul Konerko tied the game at 3 in the eighth with his third homer, a solo shot into the left field seats off non-roster right-hander Ken Ray.
Atlanta starter Horacio Ramirez went four innings. He allowed eight hits, two runs, walked one and struck out two.
``I gave up a few more hits than I wanted to, but I got in my running backing up the bases,'' said a smiling Ramirez.
``I threw 72 pitches and every one of them was strong. I'm right where I want to be. I had runners in scoring position but made some good pitches. I was able to minimize the damage,'' said Ramirez, who had a 4.00 ERA entering the game.
``I think this spring everytime out I've been a little better. I'm right where I want to be,'' said the left-hander, who was 11-9 with a 4.63 ERA last season.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Monday
March 17th, 2025
5:56AM
