CHICAGO (AP)—Jake Peavy’s(notes) one bad inning was enough to send the Chicago
White Sox to a costly loss.

Jason Kubel(notes) and Luke Hughes(notes) homered during Minnesota’s six-run first inning,
and the Twins snapped Chicago’s five-game winning streak with a 7-6 victory on
Wednesday.

“It was rough first inning,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. “I
thought it was going to be a little bit worse than that.”

Kubel and Hughes each hit a two-run shot off Peavy (6-7), who allowed four
consecutive extra-base hits during his rocky beginning. Trevor Plouffe(notes), Joe
Mauer(notes) and Michael Cuddyer(notes) hit three straight doubles to plate the first two
runs.

The White Sox fell six games back of the AL Central-leading Tigers, who
rallied for a 5-4 victory over Kansas City. Chicago is off Thursday and opens an
important three-game series at Detroit on Friday.

There was a stout wind blowing out to left field on a hot afternoon at U.S.
Cellular Field and Peavy said Minnesota’s ability to get the ball up into the
breeze was the key to its strong start.

“They were hitting the ball to left field and the ball was traveling to
left field very well,” Peavy said. “Obviously I didn’t make a lot of good
pitches.”

The damaging streak of extra-base hits started with Plouffe’s one-out
double. Mauer drove in Plouffe to give him 500 career RBIs. Cuddyer then doubled
in Mauer and scored when Kubel lofted a fly ball to left that got some help from
the wind and barely cleared the outstretched glove of a leaping Juan Pierre(notes).

“That ball to Kubel, he put his head down and going up the line, he was
upset at himself,” Peavy said.

Kubel’s third homer in his last four games was his 14th in 39 career games
at U.S. Cellular Field.

After Danny Valencia(notes) struck out, Rene Tosoni(notes) singled and Hughes hit a drive
to left-center for his seventh homer.

Scott Diamond(notes) (1-2) allowed three runs and three hits in six innings to earn
his first major league win. Manager Ron Gardenhire said Diamond may have learned
from Peavy’s struggles.

“I think Diamond saw that in the first inning and decided he was going to
throw the ball down,” Gardenhire said.

Joe Nathan(notes) yielded Paul Konerko’s(notes) two-run single in the ninth before
finishing for his 12th save.

“That’s what Joe is known for is closing games,” Diamond said. “That’s
what always makes the game exciting is ninth-inning drama, but like he always
does, he closed the game down and got us a win.”

Peavy settled down after the rough start, giving the White Sox a chance to
get back into the game. Lillibridge hit a two-run homer in the third and came
all the way around from first to score on Konerko’s double in the sixth.

“We just battled,” Lillibridge said. “I’m sure Ozzie loved the way we
played. We played hard and we kept forcing good at-bats and battling to the
end.”

Peavy allowed six runs and eight hits over five innings, falling to 2-6 with
a 5.77 ERA since a relief appearance on June 25. The 2007 NL Cy Young Award
winner still isn’t 100 percent after having surgery on his right shoulder and
said the bullpen outing might have been a mistake.

“If I could go back and take one thing away, I probably set myself back
with the relief appearance I had,” Peavy said.

Jason Repko(notes) added a two-out drive in the seventh for the Twins, who went
7-21 in August for the club’s worst-ever record in the month.

Alex Rios(notes) hit an RBI single in the eighth but Chicago left the bases loaded
when Tyler Flowers(notes) lined out to third to end the inning.

Chicago mounted another challenge in the ninth, but Nathan struck out Rios
with a runner on first to end the game.

Guillen had Adam Dunn(notes) hit for Lillibridge with runners on second and third
in the ninth and the much-maligned slugger struck out swinging before Konerko’s
bloop hit.

“I didn’t want the matchup Nathan against Lilli,” Guillen said. “The only
thing is go out and hit the ball out of the ballpark or walk. Obviously, he
struck out but that’s the matchup I like the best. “

Tough loss, but now it’s on to Detroit for what may be a season-turning
series for the White Sox, one way or another.

“I feel like we have to win the series to be really optimistic for the rest
of the year,” Lillibridge said. “We’re ready. We’ve been playing good
baseball.”

NOTES: Chicago OF Carlos Quentin(notes) said his sprained left shoulder has
improved but he wasn’t willing to put a timetable on his possible return. He’s
been on the disabled list since Aug. 21. . Twins 1B Justin Morneau(notes) (mild
concussion symptoms) has to be cleared by the league before he can return.
Morneau jammed his shoulder on Sunday and experienced headaches, prompting a
concussion test. . After a day off, the Twins begin a three-game road series
against the Angels on Friday with Carl Pavano(notes) going against Los Angeles ace
Jered Weaver(notes). . John Danks(notes) will start the series opener against Tigers ace
Justin Verlander(notes), who is 20-5. Verlander’s last loss came against Chicago on
July 15.

“It was rough first inning,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. “I thought it was going to be a little bit worse than that.”

Kubel and Hughes each hit a two-run shot off Peavy (6-7), who allowed four consecutive extra-base hits during his rocky beginning. Trevor Plouffe, Joe Mauer and Michael Cuddyer hit three straight doubles to plate the first two runs.

The White Sox fell six games back of the AL Central-leading Tigers, who rallied for a 5-4 victory over Kansas City. Chicago is off Thursday and opens an important three-game series at Detroit on Friday.

There was a stout wind blowing out to left field on a hot afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field and Peavy said Minnesota’s ability to get the ball up into the breeze was the key to its strong start.

“They were hitting the ball to left field and the ball was traveling to left field very well,” Peavy said. “Obviously I didn’t make a lot of good pitches.”

The damaging streak of extra-base hits started with Plouffe’s one-out double. Mauer drove in Plouffe to give him 500 career RBIs. Cuddyer then doubled in Mauer and scored when Kubel lofted a fly ball to left that got some help from the wind and barely cleared the outstretched glove of a leaping Juan Pierre.

“That ball to Kubel, he put his head down and going up the line, he was upset at himself,” Peavy said.

Kubel’s third homer in his last four games was his 14th in 39 career games at U.S. Cellular Field.

After Danny Valencia struck out, Rene Tosoni singled and Hughes hit a drive to left-center for his seventh homer.

Scott Diamond (1-2) allowed three runs and three hits in six innings to earn his first major league win. Manager Ron Gardenhire said Diamond may have learned from Peavy’s struggles.

“I think Diamond saw that in the first inning and decided he was going to throw the ball down,” Gardenhire said.

Joe Nathan yielded Paul Konerko’s two-run single in the ninth before finishing for his 12th save.

“That’s what Joe is known for is closing games,” Diamond said. “That’s what always makes the game exciting is ninth-inning drama, but like he always does, he closed the game down and got us a win.”

Peavy settled down after the rough start, giving the White Sox a chance to get back into the game. Lillibridge hit a two-run homer in the third and came all the way around from first to score on Konerko’s double in the sixth.

“We just battled,” Lillibridge said. “I’m sure Ozzie loved the way we played. We played hard and we kept forcing good at-bats and battling to the end.”

Peavy allowed six runs and eight hits over five innings, falling to 2-6 with a 5.77 ERA since a relief appearance on June 25. The 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner still isn’t 100 percent after having surgery on his right shoulder and said the bullpen outing might have been a mistake.

“If I could go back and take one thing away, I probably set myself back with the relief appearance I had,” Peavy said.

Jason Repko added a two-out drive in the seventh for the Twins, who went 7-21 in August for the club’s worst-ever record in the month.

Alex Rios hit an RBI single in the eighth but Chicago left the bases loaded when Tyler Flowers lined out to third to end the inning.

Chicago mounted another challenge in the ninth, but Nathan struck out Rios with a runner on first to end the game.

Guillen had Adam Dunn hit for Lillibridge with runners on second and third in the ninth and the much-maligned slugger struck out swinging before Konerko’s bloop hit.

“I didn’t want the matchup Nathan against Lilli,” Guillen said. “The only thing is go out and hit the ball out of the ballpark or walk. Obviously, he struck out but that’s the matchup I like the best. “

Tough loss, but now it’s on to Detroit for what may be a season-turning series for the White Sox, one way or another.

“I feel like we have to win the series to be really optimistic for the rest of the year,” Lillibridge said. “We’re ready. We’ve been playing good baseball.”

NOTES: Chicago OF Carlos Quentin said his sprained left shoulder has improved but he wasn’t willing to put a timetable on his possible return. He’s been on the disabled list since Aug. 21. . Twins 1B Justin Morneau (mild concussion symptoms) has to be cleared by the league before he can return. Morneau jammed his shoulder on Sunday and experienced headaches, prompting a concussion test. . After a day off, the Twins begin a three-game road series against the Angels on Friday with Carl Pavano going against Los Angeles ace Jered Weaver. . John Danks will start the series opener against Tigers ace Justin Verlander, who is 20-5. Verlander’s last loss came against Chicago on July 15.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

CHICAGO —  

Jason Kubel and Luke Hughes homered during Minnesota’s six-run first inning, and the Twins beat the White Sox 7-6 on Wednesday to snap Chicago’s five-game winning streak.

Kubel and Hughes each hit a two-run shot off Jake Peavy (6-7), who allowed four consecutive extra-base hits during his rocky opening inning. Trevor Plouffe, Joe Mauer and Michael Cuddyer hit three straight doubles to plate the first two runs.

Scott Diamond (1-2) allowed three runs and three hits in six innings to earn his first major league win. Joe Nathan yielded Paul Konerko’s two-run single in the ninth before finishing for his 12th save.

Brent Lillibridge hit a two-run homer, walked and scored twice for the White Sox, who dropped to six games back of AL Central-leading Detroit. Juan Pierre singled, walked twice and scored two runs.

Peavy (6-7) allowed six runs and eight hits over five innings, falling to 2-6 with a 5.77 ERA since a relief appearance on June 25.

The costly streak of extra-base hits started after Jason Repko began the game with a harmless grounder to third. Mauer drove in Plouffe to give him 500 career RBIs. Cuddyer then doubled in Mauer and scored when Kubel lofted a fly ball to left that got some help from the wind and barely cleared the outstretched glove of a leaping Pierre.

Kubel’s third homer in his last four games was his 14th in 39 career games at U.S. Cellular Field.

After Danny Valencia struck out, Rene Tosoni singled and Hughes hit a drive to left-center for his seventh homer.

Repko added a two-out drive in the seventh for the Twins, who went 7-21 in August for the club’s worst-ever record in the month.

Peavy settled down after the rough start, giving the White Sox a chance to get back into the game. Lillibridge hit a two-run homer in the third and came all the way around from first to score on Konerko’s double in the sixth.

Alex Rios hit an RBI single in the eighth but Chicago left the bases loaded when Tyler Flowers lined out to third to end the inning.

The White Sox mounted another challenge in the ninth, but Nathan struck out Rios with a runner on first to end the game.

NOTES: Chicago OF Carlos Quentin said his sprained left shoulder has improved but he wasn’t willing to put a timetable on his possible return. He’s been on the disabled list since Aug. 21. . Twins 1B Justin Morneau (mild concussion symptoms) has to be cleared by the league before he can return. Morneau jammed his shoulder on Sunday and experienced headaches, prompting a concussion test. . After a day off, the Twins begin a three-game road series against the Angels on Friday with Carl Pavano going against Los Angeles ace Jered Weaver. . The White Sox begin a crucial three-game series at first-place Detroit on Friday. John Danks will start the opener against Tigers ace Justin Verlander, who is 20-5. Verlander’s last loss came against Chicago on July 15. … Much-maligned White Sox slugger Adam Dunn hit for Lillibridge with runners on second and third in the ninth and struck out swinging.

Jason Kubel and Luke Hughes homered during Minnesota’s six-run first inning, and the Twins beat the White Sox 7-6 on Wednesday to snap Chicago’s five-game winning streak. 

Kubel and Hughes each hit a two-run shot off Jake Peavy (6-7), who allowed four consecutive extra-base hits during his rocky opening inning. Trevor Plouffe, Joe Mauer and Michael Cuddyer hit three straight doubles to plate the first two runs. 

Scott Diamond (1-2) allowed three runs and three hits in six innings to earn his first major league win. Joe Nathan yielded Paul Konerko’s two-run single in the ninth before finishing for his 12th save. 

Brent Lillibridge hit a two-run homer, walked and scored twice for the White Sox, who dropped to six games back of AL Central-leading Detroit. Juan Pierre singled, walked twice and scored two runs. 

Peavy (6-7) allowed six runs and eight hits over five innings, falling to 2-6 with a 5.77 ERA since a relief appearance on June 25. 

The costly streak of extra-base hits started after Jason Repko began the game with a harmless grounder to third. Mauer drove in Plouffe to give him 500 career RBIs. Cuddyer then doubled in Mauer and scored when Kubel lofted a fly ball to left that got some help from the wind and barely cleared the outstretched glove of a leaping Pierre. 

Kubel’s third homer in his last four games was his 14th in 39 career games at U.S. Cellular Field. 

After Danny Valencia struck out, Rene Tosoni singled and Hughes hit a drive to left-center for his seventh homer. 

Repko added a two-out drive in the seventh for the Twins, who went 7-21 in August for the club’s worst-ever record in the month. 

Peavy settled down after the rough start, giving the White Sox a chance to get back into the game. Lillibridge hit a two-run homer in the third and came all the way around from first to score on Konerko’s double in the sixth. 

Alex Rios hit an RBI single in the eighth but Chicago left the bases loaded when Tyler Flowers lined out to third to end the inning. 

The White Sox mounted another challenge in the ninth, but Nathan struck out Rios with a runner on first to end the game. 

NOTES: Chicago OF Carlos Quentin said his sprained left shoulder has improved but he wasn’t willing to put a timetable on his possible return. He’s been on the disabled list since Aug. 21. . Twins 1B Justin Morneau (mild concussion symptoms) has to be cleared by the league before he can return. Morneau jammed his shoulder on Sunday and experienced headaches, prompting a concussion test. . After a day off, the Twins begin a three-game road series against the Angels on Friday with Carl Pavano going against Los Angeles ace Jered Weaver. . The White Sox begin a crucial three-game series at first-place Detroit on Friday. John Danks will start the opener against Tigers ace Justin Verlander, who is 20-5. Verlander’s last loss came against Chicago on July 15. … Much-maligned White Sox slugger Adam Dunn hit for Lillibridge with runners on second and third in the ninth and struck out swinging.

(Sports Network) – The Chicago White Sox take aim at their sixth straight win
this evening when they go for a sweep in the finale of a three-game series
with the Minnesota Twins at U.S. Cellular Field.

The White Sox continued to roll on Tuesday, as they scored five times in the
eighth inning on their way to an 8-6 win. Alejandro De Aza belted a three-run
homer and Juan Pierre added an RBI single for Chicago, which has won seven of
nine, but remains five games behind the AL Central-leading Tigers, who beat
the Royals in extra innings earlier Tuesday.

Rookie starter Zach Stewart gave up six runs in 4 2/3 innings for Chicago, but
Will Ohman (1-3) recorded the final out in the top of the fifth to earn the
win. Sergio Santos fanned three in a scoreless ninth to record his 28th save
of the season.

“We’re putting together a nice little run here,” said Paul Konerko. “The best
thing to do is not think about that, just keep taking it day by day.”

After this series, the White Sox will visit the Tigers for three games at
Comerica Park.

Jason Kubel hit a three-run homer for the Twins, who have lost 11 of 13.

Twins starter Anthony Swarzak (3-5) lasted 4 1/3 innings, allowing eight runs
— six earned — on six hits.

“They beat me when they had the chance,” said Swarzak. “They got guys on and
they got them in and that’s what it’s all about.”

As if things weren’t bad enough for the Twins, former AL MVP Justin Morneau is
dealing with mild concussion symptoms. It was a head injury that cost Morneau
the entire second half of last season.

“I’m sure it makes him nervous, but it’s something that he’s had to really
deal with for a long time,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “So it’s something we
don’t take very lightly around here. We’ll be really careful with this
situation.”

Hoping to keep the White Sox in the win column this afternoon will be righty
Jake Peavy, who is 6-6 with a 4.93 ERA. Peavy beat the Seattle Mariners on
Friday, holding them to a pair of runs and seven hits in six innings.

Peavy tossed eight scoreless innings to beat the Twins back on August 7 and is
1-1 in four starts against them with 3.24 ERA.

Minnesota, meanwhile, will counter with lefty Scott Diamond, who has lost his
first two starts. After losing to Cleveland, Diamond was defeated by Detroit
on Friday, as he surrendered five runs (four earned) and 10 hits in just 6 1/3
innings.

Up until this current series Minnesota had been a thorn in Chicago’s side this
season, taking seven of the 11 matchups, including five of the six played in
Chicago.

The Sports Network

CHICAGO (AP) — Alejandro De Aza helped the Chicago White Sox survive a stormy few innings. The bullpen took care of the rest.

De Aza drove in a career-high four runs to lead the White Sox to their fifth straight win, 8-6 over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.

Chicago overcame a pair of three-run deficits in the middle innings, going ahead with a five-run fifth before holding on with the help of 4 1-3 shutout innings by the bullpen.

De Aza’s three-run homer in the fourth tied it 3-all. He also walked and scored two runs. Paul Konerko doubled, scored twice and had an RBI during Chicago’s decisive five-run rally.

“Yeah it feels great because anyway I can try to help the team, it’s going to feel good,” De Aza said.

Will Ohman (1-3) got the win and Sergio Santos struck out the side in the ninth for his 28th save.

“I think the bullpen is one of the strongest things we’ve got all year long, the most consistent,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. “That’s a big part of American League baseball.”

The comebacks got starter Zach Stewart off the hook after he allowed six runs and seven hits in 4 2-3 innings.

“I wasn’t really happy with (the outing),” Stewart said. “I just didn’t feel like I pitched very good. We did a great job of battling back.”

Jason Kubel hit a three-run homer for Minnesota, which fell 23 games below .500 for the first time since the end of the 200 season. The Twins are 6-21 this month, ensuring the worst August in franchise history.

Twins starter Anthony Swarzak (3-5) allowed eight runs — six earned — over 4 1-3 innings.

“They got guys on and got them in, and that’s what it’s all about,” Swarzak said.

The White Sox remained five games behind first-place Detroit in the AL Central. The Tigers beat Kansas City 2-1 in 10 innings earlier Tuesday.

The game came to life in the fourth with three straight three-run frames and Chicago’s wild five-run fifth — which erased a 6-3 deficit.

The White Sox sent 10 batters to the plate in the inning and were helped by an error and two hit batsmen. Michael Cuddyer threw the ball away on what might have been an inning-ending double play, opening the floodgates for Chicago.

“You finally score some runs, but as you see, defensively we didn’t make enough plays again and you give it back to them,” Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said. “Those are the frustrating things.”

Konerko had an RBI double. Two runs scored on Cuddyer’s miscue to tie the game 6-all. The go-ahead run scored when reliever Alex Burnett hit Gordon Beckham on the helmet with the bases loaded.

Kubel launched a drive into the back of the Twins’ bullpen in right field, putting Minnesota ahead 3-0 in the fourth.

Chicago came right back with De Aza’s three-run shot into the same bullpen.

“When (De Aza) hit the home run, I knew (we) were going to get some energy in the dugout, right away,” Guillen said. “Seems like he’s been doing everything the team needs him to do.”

Stewart couldn’t take advantage of the second chance, giving up three runs and exiting in the fifth. Joe Mauer laced a two-run double and scored on Cuddyer’s single.

After 14 runs were scored in two innings, Chicago’s bullpen quieted the game down. Ohman got the last out of the fifth, Jason Frasor threw a scoreless sixth and Chris Sale struck out four over two scoreless frames, setting up Santos.

“Everyone of the guys in our bullpen I think can be a closer and throw the ninth,” Santos said. “We feel like that’s our strong point. … We’re kind of going on all cylinders right now.”

NOTES: Manager Ozzie Guillen said before the game that he’d like to return to the White Sox in 2012 but would only do so if his contract is extended. … Rehabbing White Sox C A.J. Pierzynski (fractured left wrist) and RHP Phil Humber (facial contusion) appeared for Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday. Pierzynski went hitless in three at-bats and is expected to rejoin the White Sox on Thursday. Humber, who allowed seven hits and four runs over five innings, is slated to pitch Monday at Minnesota. … Twins 1B Justin Morneau is expected to miss several games due to mild concussion symptoms. Morneau missed the second half of last season because of a concussion. … Minnesota’s Scott Diamond will square off against Chicago’s Jake Peavy in Wednesday afternoon’s series finale. Diamond is seeking his first major-league win.