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Less on line as Twins meet White Sox

Apr 10, 2009 - 12:16 AM By Kate Hedlin Stats Writer

Minnesota (2-2) at Chi White Sox (1-2), 8:11 p.m. EDT

CHICAGO (AP) -- A little more than six months ago, the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins met at U.S. Cellular Field for a one-game playoff to determine the AL Central champion.

With far less at stake, the teams open a three-game series Friday night in Chicago.

Minnesota (2-2) won the 2008 season series against Chicago 10-9, but the White Sox's 1-0 victory in a one-game playoff Sept. 30 at U.S. Cellular Field, a location determined by a coin flip, turned out to be the only meeting that mattered.

The teams combined for seven hits in the game, with Jim Thome hitting a home run in the seventh inning off Nick Blackburn.

"You never want to put 162 games into one game," Twins first baseman Justin Morneau told the team's official Web site after the loss. "But that's what ended up happening. ... It's going to hurt for a while."

The Twins come into Chicago (1-2) after losing 2-0 to Seattle on Thursday in the finale of their four-game series. Minnesota managed only five hits, failing to back up a solid start by Glen Perkins, who allowed one run in eight innings.

"We'll score some runs," Perkins said. "I don't think anyone's too worried about it."

Friday's game will be especially significant for Twins third baseman Joe Crede, who spent nine seasons in Chicago before leaving as a free agent. Crede hit .257 with 125 homers and 422 RBIs with the White Sox but struggled with back problems his last two seasons. He signed a one-year contract with Minnesota worth between $2.5 and $7 million depending on how much he's on the field.

Crede is 3-for-16 (.188) with six strikeouts in his first four games with the Twins.

"Hopefully, he has a really bad weekend here and then goes out there and plays better," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen told the team's official Web site. "Joe is very special in this house."

Guillen is looking for more offense from his own team, which scored five runs and batted .198 in a three-game series with Kansas City.

After rallying for a 4-2 win in the opener, the White Sox managed seven hits and one run over the next two games. They lost 2-1 Thursday after closer Bobby Jenks gave up a two-run homer in the ninth to Coco Crisp. Carlos Quentin doubled and scored in the bottom of the inning, but after Paul Konerko walked to put the tying run on base, pinch-hitter Wilson Betemit struck out to end the game.

"This team fights," Konerko said. "We always come back the next day."

The White Sox will try to bounce back when they hand the ball to Jose Contreras (7-6, 4.54 ERA), who is making his first start since last August when he ruptured his Achilles' tendon.

Contreras, who wasn't expected to be available until mid-season, went 3-0 with a 5.82 ERA in three starts and two relief appearances during spring training. Guillen believes the 35 pounds Contreras lost in the offseason will help.

"He's moving better after the injury than he was before the injury," he said.

Contreras did not face the Twins last season. He is 4-3 with a 4.13 ERA in 10 career starts against them, including two complete games.

The Twins will counter with R.A. Dickey (5-8, 5.21), who moved into the rotation after Scott Baker was placed on the disabled list.

Dickey spent last season with Seattle, making 14 starts and 18 relief appearances. The knuckleballer made his major league debut with Texas in 2001 and is 21-27 with a 5.57 ERA in six major league seasons.

"He earned it," pitching coach Rick Anderson said. "He worked hard."

Dickey is 0-2 with a 10.13 ERA in four games versus the White Sox. His only start against them came on Aug. 20 when he allowed eight runs and six hits in two innings of the Mariners' 15-3 defeat.