Minnesota Twins hit-back in dead-rubber to defeat Chicago White Sox 5-4 – MLB Update
Patience finally paid off for the Minnesota Twins who edged past the Chicago White Sox 5-4 after an intense encounter at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Wednesday, September 7 to gain a consolation win in the four-game series after being ruthlessly
treated in the first three-games.
The White Sox came to Minnesota with an aim of completing a four-game whitewash of the struggling Twins and close the gap with American League Central leaders Detroit Tigers. They succeeded in partially achieving their target but a strong retaliation by
the home side disallowed the visitors a chance to complete their sweep.
Carl Pavano had been performing below par this season for the Twins but his performance in this game was decent enough to hand him his eighth win and improve his dreary win-loss record to 8-11. Pavano pitched into the sixth inning and leaked three runs amid
ten hits to improve his ERA to 4.52. He allowed just one earned-run in this stretch which, given his prior form, is commendable.
John Danks was given another chance to prove his ability as a starter for the White Sox but he spilled the opportunity with yet another dreadful performance. Danks threw 114 pitches over six innings to exhibit his arm strength but lack of variation allowed
the Twins to unglue him for five expensive-runs to further deteriorate his ERA to 4.09.
The Twins desperately needed an offensive boost to kick-start their game and Danny Valencia’s effort in the third inning was just enough to give Minnesota the much-awaited thrust. Valencia ended with two RBIs and one run in four at-bats.
Minnesota accumulated four-runs in the third inning to gain a precious lead over the visitors and take the pressure to the White Sox. Ben Revere, Joe Mauer, Valencia and Drew Butera scored a run each in the third inning.
Juan Pierre and Paul Konerko retaliated for the White Sox in the fifth inning to reduce the deficit to two-runs before Omar Vizquel’s run off Pierre’s RBI brought the score to 4-3 and with that, the game in balance.
A fielding error by Konerko allowed Luke Hughes to add the crucial fifth run for the home side and Pierre’s effort in the eighth inning was not enough to bring Chicago level with the Twins.
The White Sox won the four-game series 3-1.
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