A night after committing a costly error in the ninth inning to give the Twins a win, former Twins catcher A.J. Pierzynski hit the game-winning two-run homer in the ninth inning to give Chicago a 4-2 win at Target Field. Francisco Liriano allowed two runs and struck out eight in his first start since being traded to Chicago.
Nick Blackburn kept the Twins in the game with a brilliant start. The right-hander allowed two runs on five hits over eight solid innings. It was his first eight inning start since July of 2011, which also came against the White Sox.
Denard Span, who battled through trade rumors up until the trade deadline passed at 3:00 p.m. CT, led the Twins with four hits and an RBI.
Chicago reliever Matt Thornton pitched one inning for the win. Jeff Gray allowed the homer to Pierzynski and was charged with the loss.
