White Sox at Twins (Game 2)
The Minnesota Twins have pushed their way back into the American League Central race with an offensive barrage and look to stay hot when they host the last-place Chicago White Sox on Tuesday for a doubleheader. The Twins took the final three of a four-game set against first-place Cleveland with a big assist from outfielder Eddie Rosario and have recorded 37 runs in their last five contests.
“It’s really important,” Rosario told reporters after belting three homers, including a walk-off blast, in Sunday’s 7-5 victory. “These three games, we proved the Twins belong. It’s a long season but it’s a good experience for the team to win these games.” Rosario is 17-for-38 during a nine-game hitting streak and Brian Dozier went 6-for-13 with four RBIs in the last three contests for Minnesota, which moved within 3 1/2 games of the Indians in the division. The White Sox own the second-worst record in the majors, but knocked off National League Central leader Milwaukee in two of three games over the weekend at home. Chicago manager Rick Renteria told reporters: “Any time you play a very good ballclub and you’re able to take a couple from them in a three-game series, you’re showing you’re fighting and you’re able to do it.”
TV: 7:40 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS North (Minnesota)
PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (3-6, 7.53 ERA) vs. Twins RH Zack Littell (NR)
Giolito has lost two straight decisions after winning two in a row for the first time in 2018 and just the second time in his career. The 23-year-old Californian allowed 12 runs over 7 1/3 innings in losses to Cleveland and Baltimore after beating Texas and the Chicago Cubs with solid efforts. Rosario is 2-for-6 with a homer versus Giolito, who is 0-2 in two career games against the Twins after yielding four runs (three earned) on five hits and five walks over 6 1/3 innings on April 12.
Littell is expected to be recalled Tuesday for his major league debut after making one relief appearance and posting quality starts in his other four outings for Triple-A Rochester. The 22-year-old North Carolina native, who got drafted by Seattle in 2013, was acquired from the New York Yankees last year in the Jaime Garcia trade and is 41-28 with a 3.28 ERA in his minor league career. Littell started 2018 by posting a 0-3 record at Double-A Chattanooga before going 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA in five appearances (four starts) with Rochester.
WALK-OFFS
1. Chicago INF Yolmer Sanchez is 9-for-28 with two triples and a homer during a seven-game hitting streak.
2. Minnesota OF Ryan LaMarre was 7-for-16 with three doubles and three RBIs in the Cleveland series.
3. The Twins have won four of the five games against the White Sox in 2018 and seven the past eight overall.