Twins at White Sox
After battling back in the series opener to end their four-game slide, the Chicago White Sox look to make things easier on themselves when they continue their four-game set against the visiting Minnesota Twins on Friday. Chicago chopped away at a four-run deficit on Thursday before walking off with a 6-5 victory thanks to Trayce Thompson's solo homer with two outs in the ninth inning.
Rookie Daniel Palka began the comeback in the fourth with a two-run blast - his second homer in 22 major-league at-bats - for the White Sox, who improved to 4-9 in one-run games this season. Logan Morrison fell a triple shy of the cycle on Thursday, but his 3-for-4 effort wasn't enough to help Minnesota avoid its 12th loss in 14 contests. Gregorio Petit continued his strong start to his tenure with the Twins, recording two of the team's other four hits in the setback. The 33-year-old Venezuelan has gone 5-for-11 with an RBI and two runs scored in his first three games after having his contract purchased from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), NBCS Chicago Plus
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jose Berrios (2-3, 3.63 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Carson Fulmer (2-1, 4.32)
Berrios has gotten roughed up in his last two starts, surrendering nine runs on 11 hits and five walks over seven innings en route to a pair of losses. The 23-year-old Puerto Rican has yielded at least four runs in each of his three setbacks but has allowed nine hits with 22 strikeouts over 23 scoreless frames in his other three turns this season. Berrios improved to 4-1 with a 1.67 ERA in five career starts against Chicago on April 12, when he gave up three hits and fanned a career high-tying 11 in seven innings.
In contrast to Berrios, Fulmer has been superb in his last two outings, recording a pair of victories after allowing two runs and seven hits over 13 innings. It's been a nice turnaround for the 24-year-old Floridian, who yielded 11 runs on 14 hits and nine walks over 10 2/3 frames in his first three starts this year. Fulmer has made one start and one relief appearance against Minnesota in his brief career, going 0-1 while surrendering seven runs on five hits - three homers - and four walks in only three innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. White Sox 3B Matt Davidson has recorded four multi-hit performances in his last eight games after going 2-for-4 in the series opener.
2. Minnesota OF Eddie Rosario has hit safely in six of his last seven contests, going 10-for-29 with four two-hit performances in that span.
3. Chicago 2B Yoan Moncada missed Thursday's game and is day-to-day with hamstring, thumb and foot ailments.