Twins take over first in the AL Central
Francisco Liriano did not look the greatest against the Chicago White Sox Thursday night, but with some help from his offense he was able to get his 11th win and put the Minnesota Twins back in first place in the AL Central.
Liriano failed to work past the sixth inning for the second straight game. He appeared to not have the best of control against the White Sox batters, often pitching himself in to trouble, but was able to get himself out of trouble as well. He was one out short of lasting six innings giving up seven hits, two walks, and only one earned run while striking out four.
The bullpen for the Twins came through in a big way. Matt Guerrier, Jesse Crain, and newly acquired Matt Capps combined to pitch three and a third innings only giving up two hits and no runs while striking out two.
Minnesota got out to a quick lead thanks to Orlando Hudson’s home run in the top of the first inning. Chicago tied it up in the bottom of the inning when A.J. Pierzynski hit a single with bases loaded that scored Alex Rios. Rios had singled to get on base, but then advanced to third after Paul Konerko walked and Carlos Quentin was hit by a pitch.
The Twins took the lead for good in the second inning when Jim Thome hit a sacrifice fly to right-centerfield that scored Michael Cuddyer. Orlando Hudson hit a single to get on base in the third inning. After advancing to second on a single by Joe Mauer, a wild pitch by White Sox starter Gavin Floyd moved Hudson over to third and Mauer to second. Hudson scored on a balk to give the Twins a 3-1 lead.
Both pitchers settled in over the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings combining to scatter eight hits between the two teams over that span.
Jason Kubel ended the scoring on the day in the seventh inning. With one on and two outs, the White Sox intentionally walked Joe Mauer to get to Kubel who made them pay by hitting a three-run home run to make the score 6-1.
Throughout the first half of the season the Twins had traded control of the division back and forth with the Detroit Tigers. The White Sox moved into first prior to the All-Star break holding on to it till losing two games of a three game series to the Twins.
Tags: