MINNEAPOLIS - Brian Dozier’s RBI single with two on and two outs in the bottom of the ninth broke a tie and gave the Minnesota Twins a 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox Friday at Target Field.
After the White Sox had staged a rally of their own to overcome a two-run deficit in the top half of the ninth, Minnesota put two aboard for second baseman Dozier, who faced White Sox reliever Ronald Belisario. Dozier ripped a single to left field over shortstop Alexei Ramirez’s head for the walk-off win.
Down 4-2 entering the ninth inning, the White Sox rallied against Twins closer Glen Perkins to tie the game, taking advantage of a misplayed fly ball by Twins left fielder Josh Willingham. With one down, Chicago right fielder Dayan Viciedo hit a deep shot to Willingham that bounced off his glove on the warning track. Viciedo ended up at third on a play ruled a triple, and he scored one batter later on a single to center by pinch hitter Paul Konerko.
Chicago catcher Tyler Flowers followed with a single before center fielder Adam Eaton drove a double down the left-field line to tie the game.
The blown save was Perkins’ third of the season and second against the White Sox (the other coming on April 2). After an intentional walk loaded the bases, Perkins escaped further damage by getting a double play from Sox third baseman Conor Gillaspie to end the inning.
Despite the rough outing, Perkins earned the win to improve to 3-0. White Sox righty Daniel Webb took the loss, dropping to 4-1.
Twins right-hander Ricky Nolasco was shelled in the first inning, giving up a pair of long solo home runs to White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham, his sixth, and to first baseman Jose Abreu, his 21st.
Minnesota went ahead in its half of the second, getting a walk, a double and a hit batter to load the bases for third baseman Eduardo Escobar, who drilled a double into the right-field corner, scoring two. The two-base hit was his 22nd of the season, tying Trevor Plouffe for the team lead. The next batter, center fielder Sam Fuld, gave Minnesota a 3-2 lead with a sacrifice fly to deep right.
The Twins took a two-run lead in the next inning after first baseman Joe Mauer singled and Willingham walked. Designated hitter Kendrys Morales’ swinging bunt moved both into scoring position and Mauer scored on an infield single by catcher Kurt Suzuki.
- The two home runs surrendered by RHP Ricky Nolasco in the first inning were the 14th and 15th he allowed the season, fourth-most in Major League Baseball.
- Twins 3B Eduardo Escobar’s 22 doubles are tied with teammate Trevor Plouffe for fourth-most in the American League.
- Twins INF Eduardo Nunez (right hamstring) ran the bases before the game and reported no issues. Both Plouffe and Nunez are eligible to come off the DL June 30.
