White Sox 8, Twins 2
CHICAGO -- Center fielder Adam Eaton went 3-for-5 with an RBI and the Chicago White Sox cruised to an 8-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night.
Right fielder Trayce Thompson, second baseman Carlos Sanchez and designated hitter Melky Cabrera were among five other players who contributed two hits apiece for the White Sox (67-73). Chicago scored seven of its eight runs in the fourth inning.
Third baseman Trevor Plouffe went 2-for-3 with an RBI to lead Minnesota (73-68). Six pitchers combined to surrender 15 hits for the Twins, who lost for only the seventh time in the past 21 games.
White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana (9-10) scattered four hits in six innings to earn the victory. Quintana allowed two runs (one earned) while walking three and striking out five.
Twins left-hander Tommy Milone (8-5) drew the loss. Milone gave up seven runs (four earned) on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings to lose to Chicago for the first time in eight career starts.
Minnesota took a 2-0 lead in the first inning after a series of defensive miscues by the White Sox. Center fielder Aaron Hicks scored the opening run on a passed ball by catcher Geovany Soto.
Plouffe singled to drive in first baseman Joe Mauer, who had reached on a fielding error by White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu.
The White Sox matched a season high for runs in an inning with a seven-run fourth. Chicago sent 11 hitters to the plate, eight of whom reached base.
Sanchez hit a two-run double, and shortstop Alexei Ramirez, Eaton, Cabrera and Thompson each drove in a run. J.B. Shuck scored on a throwing error.
White Sox right fielder Avisail Garcia left after two innings because of back spasms. Thompson moved from left field to right field to replace Garcia, and Shuck entered the game in left field.
NOTES: Twins LF Eddie Rosario was not in the lineup for the first time in five games. ... White Sox LF Trayce Thompson returned to the lineup for the third time in four games. Veteran LF Melky Cabrera shifted to designated hitter. ... Twins LHP Glen Perkins played catch Saturday for the first time since a back injury sidelined him Sept. 1. He has yet to pitch from the mound since the injury. "The fact that he's improved enough to go out there and throw the ball around is a good sign," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. ... White Sox manager Robin Ventura said he would not skip LHP Chris Sale in the rotation or shut him down before season's end. Sale is 12-8 with a 3.31 ERA in 184 2/3 innings.