Oswaldo Arcia hit a triple to deep center field in the top of the 9th inning Thursday to get the Twins into the victory column for the first time this season in a thrilling 10-9 win over the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.
Arcia’s triple fell just between Adam Eaton’s outstretched glove and the center field fence to bring in Trevor Plouffe for the eventual game-winning run. Plouffe tied the game up with a single in the top of the ninth with a single to drive in base runner Jason Bartlett.
Watch Oswaldo Arcia knock a huge RBI triple to secure the win for the #MNTwins: http://t.co/S6RIbGSAmK
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) April 3, 2014
Twins closer Glen Perkins shut down the White Sox in the bottom of the ninth to earn his first save of the year. Rookie left-hander Caleb Thielbar earned his first victory for the Twins in middle relief.
Right-hander Matt Lindstrom took the loss for the White Sox.
The Twins had built up a four-run lead over the White Sox by a 5-1 margin in the top of the fifth, but Chicago countered with three runs in the bottom of the inning and four runs in the bottom of the sixth to build an 8-5 lead.
The Twins rallied with two runs in the seventh inning and Josmil Pinto hit a solo homer in the top of the eighth to tie the game; but the White Sox pulled ahead 9-8 in the bottom of the inning.
Twins right-hander Phil Hughes lasted five innings in his season debut, giving up four runs on seven hits and a walk. Hughes struck out seven.
The victory upped the Twins’ record on the year to 1-2, and gave manager Ron Gardenhire win No. 999. Gardenhire goes for 1,000 Friday when the Twins travel to Cleveland to take on the Indians.
