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Twins continue drive to AL Central title vs. White Sox

Sep 30, 2006 - 1:40 PM Chi White Sox (89-71) at Minnesota (95-65) 12:10 pm EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Not even a dominant home record could help the Minnesota Twins in their series opener with the Chicago White Sox.

Rookie Matt Garza gets the call Saturday as the Twins continue their quest to capture the American League Central Division crown in the second contest of a three-game weekend series with the White Sox.

Despite a major-league best 53-26 home mark, including 36-16 since June 11, Minnesota failed to take sole possession of the top spot in the division with Friday's 4-3 loss to the White Sox.

Phil Nevin ended the contest by striking out with the bases loaded in the ninth inning to leave the Twins in a first-place tie with Detroit in the Central race. The Tigers have the tiebreaker over Minnesota.

Garza (3-5, 5.32 ERA) has an opportunity to finish his initial big-league campaign with three consecutive victories. The 22-year-old righthander yielded three runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings of Monday's win over the Baltimore Orioles.

The White Sox counter with Jon Garland (17-7, 4.61), who attempts to match his career high for victories, which he set last year. He lost his third straight start by giving up a career-high 12 runs and 12 hits in 5 1/3 frames Tuesday against the Cleveland Indians.

Jermaine Dye belted his 44th homer and Alex Cintron added his fifth - both solo shots - for the defending champion White Sox, who have won four of their last six.