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Twins, White Sox finish off tight series

Aug 3, 2014 - 1:35 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - After both teams completed comebacks in each of the first two games of this series, the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox will play a rubber match on Sunday at U.S. Cellular Field.

The White Sox rallied for a 10-8 victory over Minnesota on Friday and then the Twins performed a similar feat on Saturday, pulling out an 8-6 triumph.

Trailing 6-4 in the top of the eighth inning, the Twins got an RBI single from Kurt Suzuki and a two-run double from Oswaldo Arcia to take a 7-6 lead. Danny Santana then added a solo home run in the ninth to put the finishing touches on the victory.

Glen Perkins pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth to secure his 27th save of the campaign, while Ryan Pressly got the final out of the seventh inning to earn the win. Minnesota had lost three straight games prior to Saturday's win.

"We're not a team that just gives up and folds over," said Minnesota's Trevor Plouffe, who had four hits and drove in two runs. "Our bullpen has been solid for us all year long. Tonight we had to pick them up, and that's something that we're proud of."

Ronald Belisario took the loss for the White Sox, allowing three runs in the eighth inning. Scott Carroll had allowed four runs in his seven innings of work, but did not factor in the decision.

Adam Eaton went 4-for-5 out of the leadoff spot and Alexi Ramirez homered in the loss.

"There's been great fight out of the team all year, I think we can all agree on that," Eaton said. "It seems like we've had two punching matches with the Twins so far. We won the first one, they won the second one. I definitely think we're in a good position to win this (series)."

A pair of young hurlers will take the mound in Sunday's contest as Kyle Gibson makes the start opposite Jose Quintana.

Gibson pitched in his first season in the big leagues last year and struggled in 10 starts, posting a 6.53 ERA. His second campaign has been much better. He is currently 9-8 with an ERA of 3.94 in 114 1/3 innings across 20 starts.

The 26-year-old has yet to face Chicago this season. He pitched against them once last year, taking a no decision when he allowed three runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings of work.

Quintana has been a fixture in the White Sox's rotation for three seasons, giving him plenty of seasoning despite being just 25 years old. Gibson is making his 23rd start of the 2014 campaign on Sunday, and the 77th of his career. This season he is 6-7 with a 3.15 ERA, which has him on pace to set a career best.

The lefty pitched extremely well in July, allowing no more than three runs in all five of his starts in the month. However, he only factored in a decision once, earning his sixth win of the season last time out against Detroit when he allowed two runs over six innings.

Quintana has made two starts against Minnesota this season. He made his season debut against the Twins and allowed five runs, two earned, and struck out eight in six innings. Then, on June 19, he tossed seven-innings of two-run ball. He is still just 2-2 with a 5.36 ERA in eight career starts against the Twins. Kansas City is the only team he has started more games against (11).

Minnesota has won seven of the 13 meetings between these teams this season.