Twins at White Sox
Winning the American League Central seemed like a safe bet for the Minnesota Twins, who owned a double-digit lead as recently as June 18. That advantage has all but disappeared as Minnesota enters the finale of its four-game series against the host Chicago White Sox one game up in the division.
The Twins won the first two games of the set but dropped a 5-1 decision Saturday while Cleveland trounced Kansas City to improve to 12-2 over its last 14 contests and climb within one game of pulling even for first in the AL Central. Byron Buxton notched two of the three hits recorded by Minnesota, which leads the major leagues with 201 home runs and are 66 away from matching the single-season record set by the New York Yankees last year. Yoan Moncada went 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs while Adam Engel drove in a pair of runs for the White Sox, who halted a four-game slide during which they scored a total of six runs. Moncada has homered twice in the first three games of the series while Engel has recorded two RBIs in back-to-back contests.
TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), NBCS Chicago
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Kyle Gibson (9-4, 4.24 ERA) vs. White Sox RH Dylan Covey (1-6, 6.04)
Gibson surrendered five runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings against the New York Yankees on Tuesday but was in line for the win before Minnesota's bullpen squandered the 9-5 lead with which he left. The 31-year-old native of Indiana has not lost since June 19 versus Boston, going 2-0 while allowing three runs or fewer five times over six starts and one relief appearance. Gibson improved to 8-4 with a 2.82 ERA in 15 career starts against Chicago on May 25, when he gave up one run and five hits in seven frames.
Covey's last two starts - both losses - have been abysmal as he surrendered six runs while retiring only two batters at Oakland on July 13 before yielding five in six innings against Miami on Tuesday. The 27-year-old Californian, who made two relief appearances between the starts, registered a season-high seven strikeouts without issuing a walk versus the Marlins. Covey fell to 0-3 with a 5.47 ERA in three starts and two relief outings against the Twins on May 26, when he was reached for four runs over six frames at Minnesota.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Twins bolstered their bullpen Saturday, acquiring 36-year-old Sergio Romo - along with fellow RHP Chris Vallimont and a player to be named - from Miami for 1B Lewin Diaz.
2. Chicago OF Leury Garcia has recorded two hits in back-to-back games and is 5-for-12 in the series.
3. Minnesota RHP Blake Parker cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Rochester.