In 11.2 innings against the Twins this season, Rodon has surrendered four earned runs and eight hits.
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Morneau, who batted fifth against the Twins as the Sox’ designated hitter in the first game of a three-game series, was speaking from a unusual place for him, the visitors dugout at Target Field.
The Minnesota Twins broke through for a victory for the second time in 10 games against the Chicago White Sox in one of the weirdest ways possible Friday night: A pinch-hit, walk-off walk by Joe Mauer.
After two extra-innings games in as many days, the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins hope to take care of business in nine innings Sunday. “Trying to throw quality pitches, and that’s it”. “Get those first two quick outs and then you know they string a few hits together, a couple runs, and it’s definitely frustrating”. Santana (4-9) allowed three runs – one earned – in six innings with five strikeouts.
Nonplussed by his defense and swirling trade rumors, Santana rattled off an eighth straight start of three earned runs or less. Minnesota sent its lone All-Star representative, infielder Eduardo Nunez, to the San Francisco Giants on Thursday.
The recent stretch only reinforced the White Sox trade-deadline position. “You try not to do that, try not to have too big of ups and downs, but we’re close to a. 500 ballclub, and that’s kind of the way the week has gone with that”.
Twins starter Tommy Milone worked 5 1/3 innings, allowing four runs and nine hits.
That gave Dozier a team-high 19 homers and put him on pace for a career-best 30 homers provided he can avoid his usual second-half swoon.
“I saw the ball well today”, Dozier said. Chicago’s offense gave starter Miguel Gonzalez four runs of support, and the right-hander exited the game with the lead.
NOTES: Before Sunday’s game, the White Sox traded LHP Zach Duke to St. Louis in exchange for OF Charlie Tilson.
“Everything felt good, they just put good swings on the ball and made it happen”, Rodon said.
The Twins got things off to a good start in the first. “That’s my job. I didn’t do it today”.
Sano made his 14th error of the season when he threw wide of first base. Dozier reached on an infield single and advanced to third on Miguel Sano’s double to left-center field.
Cabrera was stranded at third base to end the game when Morneau struck out.
Kennys Vargas also homered for Minnesota, which beat the White Sox for just the third time this year but the second time this weekend.
A third unearned run scored in the seventh after second baseman Jorge Polanco was unable to corral a grounder up the middle. Maybe it took a little bit out. “It just seemed like we were chasing stuff all night”. We didn’t pick up our pitcher very well. “We made it tough on Ervin”.
White Sox: Todd Frazier returned after missing two games with the flu.
Carlos Rodon (2-8) was hit hard early in his first start back from the disabled list with a sore wrist. One out later Byron Buxton walked. Molitor said the team is optimistic that there isn’t structural damage, but Buxton won’t travel with the team to Cleveland and will have an MRI on Monday.
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Dan Jennings (4-3) hit Eddie Rosario with a full-count pitch to lead off the 12th. David Robertson pitched a scoreless 10th inning for Chicago to notch his 25th save of the season. But the decision was a no-brainer according to Twins manager Paul Molitor. Duffey will transfer to the bullpen.
