Minnesota Twins vs Chicago White Sox Box Score on May 11, 2017

The Sports Xchange
May 12, 2017

CHICAGO -- Designated hitter Eduardo Escobar went 2-for-3 with a homer and four RBIs as the Minnesota Twins held on for a 7-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday.

The decision gave the Twins (17-14) wins in both games of the rain-shortened series. The White Sox (15-17) took their fifth consecutive loss.

Twins reliever Ryan Pressly (1-2) struck out all three batters he faced in the seventh inning. Right-hander Brandon Kintzler worked 1 2/3 innings for his eighth save.

White Sox starter Derek Holland (3-3) was hit for four unearned runs in the first inning, then gave up two more runs in the second. He wound up allowing seven runs (three earned) on six hits and four walks in five innings. Holland struck out three.

Twins starter Phil Hughes did not factor in the decision after giving up five runs (four earned) in 5 2/3 innings.

Avisail Garcia and Tim Anderson each had two hits for Chicago.

The White Sox got to within 7-6 in the sixth inning as Matt Davidson clubbed his sixth homer to left.

In the first inning, the Twins had runners at first and third with two out when Joe Mauer singled to left-center to plate Robbie Grossman for a 1-0 lead.

Holland then coughed up a three-run homer to left to Escobar on a 2-2 pitch, creating an instant 4-0 Minnesota lead. Jorge Polanco and Mauer came home on Escobar's fourth homer of the season.

The Twins added two solo homers in the second for a 6-0 lead.

Leadoff batter Brian Dozier sent Holland's 1-1 pitch to left for his fifth of the season with one out. Miguel Sano then launched his ninth to right with two out.

Chicago got two runs back in the fourth. After putting runners on first and third with one out, Todd Frazier's sacrifice to right was bobbled and dropped by center fielder Byron Buxton, allowing Tyler Saladino to score.

Davidson grounded into a fielder's choice to bring in Avisail Garcia from third. But the Twins escaped after Anderson lined a single down the left field line and left fielder Eddie Rosario threw out Davidson at third.

Escobar doubled to center in the fourth, driving in Sano for a 7-2 lead.

Chicago leadoff batter Melky Cabrera made it a 7-5 game with a first-pitch homer in the fifth, driving in Omar Narvaez and Leury Garcia with none out.

NOTES: Despite a Wednesday rainout, the Twins and White Sox have already played eight games this season. Minnesota has won 10 of the last 16 meetings. ... They meet again June 20-22 at Target Field. ... 2B Brian Dozier has now reached base safely in each of his last 19 games against Chicago. ... Minnesota travels to Cleveland for a three-game weekend series and sends RHP Ervin Santana (5-1, 1.71 ERA) in Friday's opener against Indians RHP Josh Tomlin (2-3, 7.12 ERA) ... The White Sox stay home with a three-game weekend inter-league series against the San Diego Padres beginning on Friday. ... Chicago sends RHP Miguel Gonzalez (3-2, 3.18 ERA) against right-hander Jhoulys Chacin (3-3, 5.26 ERA) on Friday. ... Wednesday's rainout will be made up as part of a traditional doubleheader on Aug. 21 at Guaranteed Rate Field.