White Sox eye sixth straight win vs. Twins
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Chicago White Sox take aim at their sixth straight win game series with the Minnesota Twins at U.S. Cellular Field.
The White Sox continued to roll on Tuesday, as they scored five times in the eighth inning on their way to an 8-6 win. Alejandro De Aza belted a three-run homer and Juan Pierre added an RBI single for Chicago, which has won seven of nine, but remains five games behind the AL Central-leading Tigers, who beat the Royals in extra innings earlier Tuesday.
Rookie starter Zach Stewart gave up six runs in 4 2/3 innings for Chicago, but Will Ohman (1-3) recorded the final out in the top of the fifth to earn the win. Sergio Santos fanned three in a scoreless ninth to record his 28th save of the season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"We're putting together a nice little run here," said Paul Konerko. "The best thing to do is not think about that, just keep taking it day by day."
After this series, the White Sox will visit the Tigers for three games at Comerica Park.
Jason Kubel hit a three-run homer for the Twins, who have lost 11 of 13.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Twins starter Anthony Swarzak (3-5) lasted 4 1/3 innings, allowing eight runs -- six earned -- on six hits.
"They beat me when they had the chance," said Swarzak. "They got guys on and they got them in and that's what it's all about."
As if things weren't bad enough for the Twins, former AL MVP Justin Morneau is dealing with mild concussion symptoms. It was a head injury that cost Morneau the entire second half of last season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I'm sure it makes him nervous, but it's something that he's had to really deal with for a long time," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "So it's something we don't take very lightly around here. We'll be really careful with this situation."
Hoping to keep the White Sox in the win column this afternoon will be righty Jake Peavy, who is 6-6 with a 4.93 ERA. Peavy beat the Seattle Mariners on Friday, holding them to a pair of runs and seven hits in six innings.
Peavy tossed eight scoreless innings to beat the Twins back on August 7 and is 1-1 in four starts against them with 3.24 ERA.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Minnesota, meanwhile, will counter with lefty Scott Diamond, who has lost his first two starts. After losing to Cleveland, Diamond was defeated by Detroit on Friday, as he surrendered five runs (four earned) and 10 hits in just 6 1/3 innings.
Up until this current series Minnesota had been a thorn in Chicago's side this season, taking seven of the 11 matchups, including five of the six played in Chicago.