Davis Lifts Angels Past White Sox

Chili Davis’ two-run home run in the ninth inning gave the Angels a 9-8 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Anaheim Stadium on Friday night.

Chad Curtis had led off the ninth with a single against Roberto Hernandez.

Until then, Bo Jackson was the player of the game. Fans had watched in awe when he hit a 441-feet homer onto the blue tarp in the center-field seats in the third inning.

It was nearly four years ago to the month when Jackson shocked an Anaheim Stadium crowd by leading off the All-Star Game with a home run against Rick Reuschel. This night, three weeks shy of the four-year anniversary, he hit it to virtually the same spot, only eight feet short.

“I’ve never had so much fun than I’ve had this year,” said Jackson, whose homer ended a 16-at-bat slump. “You know I love proving people wrong, and I’m doing it again.

“I wasn’t supposed to be here, but here I am.”

Jackson, an All-Pro running back who played four seasons for the Raiders, realizes his days are over in the NFL. He could care less, and to be honest, he says, doesn’t miss it one bit.

“I don’t even think about it,” Jackson said. “Why should I? When I’m finished with something, I’m finished.”

Jackson, who produced the 500th hit of his career with a seventh-inning single, was as responsible as anyone for rudely welcoming Angel rookie Hilly Hathaway back to the major leagues.

Hathaway, making his first start of the season and second of his career, lasted only five innings, yielding five hits and six earned runs. Yet thanks to his counterpart for the White Sox, Hathaway was able to leave with a no-decision. Rookie Jason Bere also gave up six runs, blowing a 6-3 lead in the fifth inning, triggered by J.T. Snow’s two-run single.

Snow went three for four with a career-high four runs batted in. He has six hits in his last seven at-bats, and 12 hits in his last 23 at-bats, increasing his batting average to .250--his highest since May 13.

The White Sox came right back in the sixth with two runs against reliever Julio Valera on consecutive run-scoring singles by Ozzie Guillen and Joey Cora, leaving the Angels with their 12th defeat in the last 17 games.

The White Sox won for the fifth time in the last eight days on this trip. Perhaps this could be the beginning of their run for their first division title since 1984.

“I don’t think we’ve played as a group like we’re capable of,” Jackson said. “We just haven’t got into the rhythm, and haven’t settled in.

“When we do, I think people will have to play catch-up to the White Sox.

“For this season to be a success to me would mean only one thing, and that’s to go out and win a world championship.”

In the meantime, the White Sox will have to be content staying a game behind the Kansas City Royals, tied with the Angels (33-31).

“It seems like everybody’s been playing so-so,” Angel Manager Buck Rodgers said. “About the time a team sticks their head above water, someone steps on their head. I think there are some teams underachieving in this division, and Chicago is the leading offender.”

The Angels have given up seven or more runs in eight of their last 17 games, and have a 6.15 earned-run average with 26 homers in the last 18 games.