Instead of having a three-game cushion in the Central Division, the Twins now have just a two-game lead over the Indians after falling to the White Sox 6-4.
Cleveland had the night off on Monday evening, and the Twins couldn’t capitalize despite 15 hits, having the tying run on base in the ninth inning and getting off to a nice start.
The Twins jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, with RBIs from Jorge Polanco and Nelson Cruz, who was activated off the injured list before the game.
However the lead wouldn’t last long as Chicago put up a crooked number in the fourth inning, highlighted by Jose Abreu’s three-run home run which traveled 442 feet, giving the White Sox a 4-2 lead.
Minnesota had more chances to come back, collecting 10 hits off of Chicago starter Ivan Nova and chasing him from the game in the sixth inning when they put runners at second and third with one out.
But White Sox reliever Jimmy Cordero induced a fielder’s choice on C.J. Cron and struck out Jason Castro to avoid the threat.
Kyle Gibson started for the Twins and was pulled in the top of the seventh after Chicago pulled off a perfectly executed suicide squeeze to pad their lead.
Polanco was able to launch a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh for his 18th blast of the season.
Finally, the Twins put a threat on in the bottom of the ninth. Eddie Rosario delivered an RBI with runners at the corners and two outs. With Cruz still at second base and Rosario representing the tying run at first, Miguel Sano struck out to end the game.
With the loss the Twins fall to 76-49 on the season. Michael Pineda will start for the Twins in game of the series on Tuesday, with first pitch at 7:10 p.m.
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