Twins 9, White Sox 3
Francisco Liriano pitched six innings to win his eighth consecutive decision, the Twins’ bullpen pitched out of a late bases-loaded jam and Minnesota dealt a crushing blow to Chicago’s playoff hopes with a 9-3 win on Tuesday.
The White Sox loaded the bases with one out in the seventh and a 4-3 lead, but Jesse Crain struck out Paul Konerko and Manny Ramirez to end the threat and perhaps Chicago’s postseason dreams. The Twins lead the White Sox by seven games in the American League Central with just two head-to-head meetings remaining.
Denard Span’s bases-loaded double in the eighth scored everyone and broke the game open for the Twins, who scored seven times in the final three innings.
Liriano (14-7) allowed three runs and six hits while striking out seven. He hasn’t lost since July 9, improving to 8-0 since the All-Star break.
Delmon Young hit his 17th homer in the fifth inning off John Danks (13-11), who allowed four runs on nine hits in seven innings. Danks has lost three of his last four starts.