Thome hits homer No. 512 in White Sox win

BEIJING, April 22 -- Jim Thome moved into a tie with Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews on the home run list, and was thrilled to be mentioned with the two Hall of Famers.

He was even more pleased that career homer No. 512 came in a Chicago win.

Thome went deep for the fifth time this season, John Danks struck out eight in seven innings and the visiting White Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-0 on Sunday.

"It felt good to do that and get a 'W'," Thome said.

Thome also tied a career high with four hits. His second homer in the past three games tied him with Banks and Mathews for 19th place.

"There's a lot of respect for those guys and what they've done for the game," Thome said. "To be a part of that is special as well. It's very humbling to have those names mentioned because of the great players they were. To be on that list is pretty special."

Alex Rodriguez, 15th on the list with 522 homers, is hoping to be able to add to his total when the Yankees play the White Sox tomorrow. Rodriguez strained his right quadriceps while running out a grounder in New York's 7-1 win at Baltimore.

Rodriguez and Josh Hamilton of Texas are the only American League players to start every game this season, and A-Rod will have an extra day to recover because the Yankees are off today.

"I'll get some rest, wake up and see how it feels," he said. "I'll treat it all day. I have a heat pad, sleep on that, then ice it, and do treatment all day and let it roll."

(Source: Shanghai Daily/Agencies)