MLB: Chicago White Sox 12, Baltimore 8

CHICAGO, July 18 (UPI) -- Jim Thome hit a three-run homer in the fifth and a grand slam in the sixth Friday, allowing the Chicago White Sox to outslug Baltimore 12-8.

The teams combined for 27 hits, but the two biggest came from Thome. His seven RBI helped the White Sox move within 2 ½ games of division-leading Detroit in the American League Central.

Thome broke a 3-3 tie with his three-run shot off starter Jason Berken (1-7) after Scott Podsednik and Jermaine Dye had drawn walks.

He did more damage after Adam Jones brought Baltimore within one in the top of the sixth with a two-run homer. Podsednik and Alexei Ramirez drew walks off of reliever Matt Albers and Danys Baez -- who replaced Albers -- hit Dye with his first pitch to load the bases. Thome then drove a 2-1 pitch over the wall in center for his 16th homer of the year.

John Danks (8-6) lasted five innings to get the win, giving up three runs on seven hits.

Paul Konerko hit a solo homer for the White Sox in the second and Baltimore's Nick Markakis had a two-run shot in the third.