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White Sox host Twins aiming to keep hold on 1st place

Sep 4, 2012 - 2:55 PM (Sports Network) - Back on top in the American League Central, the Chicago White Sox look to continue their dominance of the Minnesota Twins Tuesday in the second installment of a three-game series at U.S. Cellular Field.

The White Sox entered Monday's game tied with Detroit for the AL Central lead and did their job with a 4-2 win. Cleveland helped the cause by topping the Tigers last night.

Gordon Beckham went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI and Kevin Youkilis added two hits and a run scored for Chicago, which had lost four in a row and six of seven games. Adam Dunn returned to the lineup and doubled. He had been bothered by a right oblique injury the past few days.

"You want to put yourself in position in September to play meaningful games and we're doing that," said Dunn.

Hector Santiago won his first career start by holding the Twins to a run in five innings. Six relievers combined to allow just one run, with Addison Reed hurling a scoreless ninth for his 25th save.

Chicago has played 85 games this season decided by three runs or less, and opened a 10-game, 11-day homestand on a positive note. The ballclub has won eight in a row and 22 of its past 27 home games, and will also host Kansas City and Detroit on the residency.

Jose Quintana will take the mound for the ChiSox tonight and is 5-3 with a 3.17 earned run average in 19 games (17 starts). The rookie left-hander lost at Baltimore on Thursday and permitted five runs over 3 2/3 innings in a 5-3 setback. Quintana has no record and a 5.40 ERA in two starts against the Twins, spanning 13 1/3 innings.

Minnesota has dropped two in a row since winning three of four games and fell to 6-19 in its past 25 games after Monday's defeat to Chicago.

Samuel Deduno pitched well in the loss, allowing two runs in six innings, while Jamey Carroll homered. Carroll and Chris Parmelee had two hits apiece.

Scott Diamond is back from his six-game suspension for allegedly throwing at the head of Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers on Aug. 23, and initially appealed the ruling before changing his mind. Diamond pitched in a 5-2 loss versus Seattle last Tuesday and gave up five runs in seven innings.

Diamond is 10-6 with a 3.21 earned run average in 21 starts and lost to Chicago on Aug. 1. The left-hander is 1-3 with a 3.70 ERA in four career starts against the White Sox.

Chicago is 10-3 against the Twins this season and has won six in a row as the host in the series. The White Sox are 18-5 in the past 23 matchups between the two AL Central foes.