Twins 8, White Sox 5
Delmon Young hit a two-run homer and the Minnesota Twins staved off three home runs from the Chicago White Sox for an 8-5 win to complete a three-game sweep and take a commanding lead in the Central Division.
The sweep gives the Twins a nine-game lead over Chicago with 16 games left to play.
Young’s homer gave Minnesota a 6-1 lead after five innings, but A.J. Pierzynski and Alexei Ramirez hit back-to-back homers in the sixth for Chicago. Paul Konerko previously hit his 37th homer of the season, leaving him four shy of his career high.
Konerko was hit in the face in his first at-bat by an 89 mph fastball from Twins starter Carl Pavano, but remained in the game. The Sox eventually loaded the bases in the inning, but Carlos Quentin flied out to end the threat.
Mark Buehrle countered by hitting Michael Cuddyer in the shoulder with his first pitch in the second inning, drawing a warning for both benches. Buehrle (12-11) allowed six runs in five innings to extend his winless streak. He hasn’t won a game since Aug. 19.
Pavano (17-11) got the win despite allowing five runs in five innings.