Twins 12, White Sox 6
Minnesota hit five home runs and took over sole possession of first place in the American League Central with a 12-6 win over Chicago on Tuesday night in the first game of a crucial series between the top two teams in the division.
The Twins lead the White Sox by one game. The teams play again on Wednesday and wrap up the series Thursday night.
Jim Thome and J.J. Hardy hit solo home runs and Joe Mauer added a two-run homer in the Twins' four-run second inning, all coming off Freddy Garcia.
Michael Cuddyer, who had four RBIs, hit a two-run homer in the sixth and Jason Kubel hit a two-run homer in the eighth. Cuddyer also had a two-run double in the fourth.
Carlos Quentin hit a three-run homer off Scott Baker in the second, but the White Sox didn't score again until the sixth when Paul Konerko had an RBI single and Alexei Ramirez added a sacrifice fly.
Garcia (10-5) lasted only 2 1/3 innings. He gave up six runs and eight hits, including the three home runs.
Baker (10-9) allowed five runs (four earned) and eight hits in six innings