White Sox 3, Twins 2
CHICAGO — Jeff Samardzija brushed off a shaky start to claim his third win in four starts as the Chicago White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2 on Friday.
Samardzija (4-2) worked eight strong innings, allowing two runs on three hits while walking one and striking out a season-high nine as the White Sox snapped a three-game losing streak.
White Sox right fielder J.B. Shuck delivered a one-out sacrifice to center in the eighth inning that drove in pinch hitter Gordon Beckham from third and break a 2-2 tie.
Twins right-handed starter Phil Hughes worked seven innings before being replaced by left-handed reliever Aaron Thompson. Hughes allowed two runs on eight hits, walked one and struck out three.
Beckham drew a one-out walk in the eighth inning, and Thompson was promptly replaced by right-hander Michael Tonkin, who gave up a single to shortstop Alexei Ramirez. That set up the game-winning run as Beckham advanced to third.
Thompson (0-1) worked 1/3 inning and took the loss.
Samardzija gave up two runs on a pair of first inning hits and then retired a season-high 17 straight batters between the second and seventh inning when designated hitter Eduardo Escobar collected a two-out single to left.
He departed after the eight for right-hander David Robertson, who worked a one-two-three ninth inning for his ninth save.
Ramirez was 3-for-4 while Shuck and catcher Geovany Soto each had two hits for Chicago.
The Twins scored twice off Samardzija in the opening inning.
First baseman Joe Mauer's one-out double to center drove in right fielder Torri Hunter and Mauer came home on third baseman Trevor Plouffe's sacrifice to center.
After walking left fielder Eddie Escobar to start the second, Samardzija proceeded to retire the next 15 batters through the Minnesota sixth.
The White Sox forged a 2-2 tie with two out in the fourth as catcher Geovany Soto's double to left drove in designated hitter Adam LaRoche and Shuck, a last-second substitute for Avisail Garcia.
Chicago first baseman Jose Abreu extended his hitting streak to 17 straight games with a single off the left-field wall with one out in the fifth.
NOTES: Since going 1-6 to start the season, the Twins were 22-11 heading into Friday, including an 8-6 road record and 14-5 mark at home. ... Before Friday's game, the Twins recalled RHP Tim Stauffer from a rehab assignment at Triple-A Rochester. He missed 19 games with a right intercostal strain. ... Minnesota optioned INF Doug Bernier to Rochester. He batted 1-for-5 (.200) in four games. ... The Twins send RHP Trevor May (2-3, 5.15 ERA) against White Sox LHP Chris Sale (3-1, 4.36) on Saturday. ... Chicago RF Avisail Garcia was a late lineup scratch because of right knee inflammation. He was replaced by J.B. Shuck. ... A sellout crowd is expected Saturday as the White Sox salute retired captain Paul Konerko by retiring his number during a pregame ceremony. He played 16 seasons in Chicago before returning last year. He was a member of the 2005 World Series team. ... White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper is absent Friday and Saturday, attending a family graduation. Bobby Thigpen is filling in.