Final
Twins pay a quick visit to White Sox
May 3, 2011 - 2:49 PM (Sports Network) - Two of the bigger disappointments in the American League square off this evening when the Minnesota Twins visit the Chicago White Sox in the start of a brief two-game series at U.S. Cellular Field.Minnesota has captured two straight American League Central titles and was expected to compete for another this year along with Chicago, which added free agent slugger Adam Dunn this past winter.
However, things have not gone as planned, as the teams own the two worst records in the American League. And in the Twins' case, their 9-18 mark is the worst in all of baseball.
Minnesota enters tonight's tilt riding a six-game losing streak after a sweep by the Kansas City Royals that culminated with a 10-3 loss on Sunday at Kauffman Stadium.
Carl Pavano lasted 5 1/3 innings and gave up seven runs -- six earned -- on 12 hits. He then let out some emotion, as he attacked a trash can with a bat after being yanked in the sixth inning.
"It [felt] unbelievable. I'd like go back and to do it right now again," said Pavano. "But it just happens. It wasn't pointed toward anyone on this team and I went in and told my manager it wasn't pointed toward you for taking me out. I deserved to get taken out. It was just my frustration boiling over."
The Twins have hit a mere .179 and have been outscored 54-14 during their six- game slide. The team hasn't lost seven in a row since an eight-game skid from July 5-13, 2003.
A big reason behind the Twins' early-season struggles will be on the hill tonight in left-hander Francisco Liriano, who is 1-4 with a 9.13 earned run average. Liriano suffered another ugly loss on Wednesday against Tampa Bay, which reached him for seven runs in three innings.
Liriano, who could be in danger of losing his rotation spot once Kevin Slowey returns from the disabled list, has faced the White Sox 11 times (eight starts) and is 3-3 with a 5.51 ERA.
Chicago, meanwhile, snapped a five-game losing streak on Monday, as Paul Konerko homered twice and drove in four runs, while Mark Buehrle pitched into the seventh inning, helping the White Sox get past Baltimore, 6-2, in the finale of a four-game series.
Mark Buehrle (2-3) worked 6 2/3 innings for the win, giving up eight hits with four strikeouts.
"You make the plays when you have to make the plays. You have to hit when you have the chances," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. "We scored some runs, got some good defense early on."
Tonight, the White Sox turn to right-hander Edwin Jackson, who has lost his last three starts after winning his first two decisions. Jackson's latest setback came on Thursday in New York, as the Yankees ripped him for six runs and four hits in four innings. He also walked five batters and saw his ERA rise to 5.86.
Jackson is just 1-3 lifetime against the Twins with a 7.76 ERA in eight games, five of which have been starts.
Minnesota won 13 of its 18 matchups with the White Sox a year ago, including seven of the nine meetings in Chicago.
- MINNESOTA: 1
CHICAGO: 0
Final
May 3 10:20 PM - 379
roots - 342
roots - 298
roots - 258
roots - 216
roots - 184
roots - 130
roots - 98
roots - 87
roots - 54
roots - 44
roots - Michael Cuddyer grounded out third to first. None on with two outs and Rene Tosoni due up.
Twins 1, White Sox 0 Top 4, 2 OutsMay 3 8:54 PM - MINNESOTA: 0
CHICAGO: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
May 3 8:10 PM
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