Buxton, Polanco HRs power Twins past White Sox
CHICAGO -- Byron Buxton and Jorge Polanco homered as the Minnesota Twins avoided their 104th loss of the season by defeating the Chicago White Sox 6-0 on Saturday night in the penultimate game of the season.
The White Sox, who finished with just four hits, reportedly will be playing their final game under manager Robin Ventura on Sunday.
On Friday, the Twins set a franchise record for losses in a season since the team moved to Minnesota in 1960. The franchise most recently lost 104 games when the Washington Senators went 50-104 in 1949.
Twins starter Hector Santiago (13-10) allowed three hits, struck out six and walked three in 6 1/3 scoreless innings. He improved to 4-0 with a 1.03 ERA in four starts against his former team this season.
White Sox starter James Shields (6-19) gave up five runs -- including both home runs -- in seven innings. His 40 home runs and 118 earned runs allowed lead the majors.
The Twins have gone 6-12 against the White Sox this season.
Juan Centeno doubled in a run in the seventh. He added another RBI double in the ninth.
Twins second baseman Brian Dozier exited the game in the seventh due to right oblique soreness. He went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Dozier needs one RBI to reach 100 for the season and two home runs to tie a major league record for second basemen. His 40 home runs set an American League record for second basemen.
White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier went 0-for-4 to remain stuck at 98 RBIs.
Buxton's two-run homer -- his ninth of the season -- put the Twins ahead 4-0 in the fifth.
Polanco hit a two-run homer in the fourth. His fourth home run of the season gave the Twins a 2-0 lead. Shields allowed both home runs after issuing walks.
NOTE: The White Sox are expected to replace manager Robin Ventura with bench coach and former Cubs manager Rick Renteria, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Saturday. Ventura has a record of 375-434 and is in the final year of his contract. ... Eduardo Escobar replaced Brian Dozier at second base for the Twins in the seventh. ... 1B Joe Mauer remained out of the starting lineup on Saturday against the White Sox. Twins manager Paul Molitor said it was his decision to hold out Mauer, whose playing time has been limited by a right quad Injury. ... Twins RHP Phil Hughes (rib surgery) got up to about 120 feet playing catch, Molitor said. Hughes had a rib removed on July 6 because of thoracic outlet syndrome. ... Twins LHP Glen Perkins is expected to continue strengthening and rehab in Florida. He underwent season-ending shoulder surgery on June 23. ... 3B Todd Frazier is trying to become the first White Sox player to lead the team in home runs and stolen bases in a season since Jorge Orta in 1976. Frazier had 40 home runs and 15 stolen bases entering Saturday. ... RF Adam Eaton could become the first White Sox outfielder to win a Gold Glove since Ken Berry in 1970. Eaton leads the majors with 18 outfield assists and is second with 23 defensive runs saved. His 18 assists are the most by a Chicago outfielder since Minnie Minoso and Jim Rivera had 19 in 1955.