GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: CHI WHITE SOX (24-23) at MINNESOTA (26-25)

AL: CHI WHITE SOX at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL AT MINNESOTA - PITCHING CHANGE
CHA: MIKE MACDOUGAL (1-1, 6.88) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: CHI WHITE SOX 6, MINNESOTA 6

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J BARTLETT (.243, 0-FOR-2)</div>

 

AL: CHI WHITE SOX at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL AT MINNESOTA - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: M MacDougal relieved M Thornton.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: CHI WHITE SOX 6
MINNESOTA 6 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J Bartlett (.243, 0-FOR-2)</div>

 

AL: CHI WHITE SOX at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL AT MINNESOTA - PITCHING CHANGE
CHA: BOONE LOGAN (1-0, 3.60) IN THE 9TH
SITUATION: NO RUNS IN, M CUDDYER ON FIRST, N PUNTO ON SECOND, J
TYNER ON THIRD, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: CHI WHITE SOX 6, MINNESOTA 6

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J MORNEAU (.295, 1-FOR-2, RBI)</div>

 

AL: CHI WHITE SOX at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL AT MINNESOTA - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: B Logan relieved M MacDougal.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, M CUDDYER ON FIRST, N PUNTO ON SECOND, J
TYNER ON THIRD, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: CHI WHITE SOX 6
MINNESOTA 6 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J Morneau (.295, 1-FOR-2, RBI)</div>

 

AL: CHI WHITE SOX at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL AT MINNESOTA - PITCHING CHANGE
CHA: DAVID AARDSMA (2-1, 4.73) IN THE 9TH
SITUATION: NO RUNS IN, M CUDDYER ON FIRST, N PUNTO ON SECOND, J
TYNER ON THIRD, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: CHI WHITE SOX 6, MINNESOTA 6

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: T HUNTER (.318, 2-FOR-4, 2 RBI)</div>

 

AL: CHI WHITE SOX at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL AT MINNESOTA - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: D Aardsma relieved B Logan.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, M CUDDYER ON FIRST, N PUNTO ON SECOND, J
TYNER ON THIRD, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: CHI WHITE SOX 6
MINNESOTA 6 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: T Hunter (.318, 2-FOR-4, 2 RBI)</div>

 

AL: CHI WHITE SOX at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
BASES LOADED WALK TO TORII HUNTER SCORED JASON TYNER.

FINAL SCORE: MINNESOTA 7, CHI WHITE SOX 6</div>

 

AL: CHI WHITE SOX at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CHI WHITE SOX 1 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 10 1
MINNESOTA 0 1 3 0 0 2 0 0 1 7 7 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: CHA - JON GARLAND, MATT THORNTON (7TH), MIKE MACDOUGAL (9TH), BOONE
LOGAN (9TH), DAVID AARDSMA (9TH) AND TOBY HALL, A.J.
PIERZYNSKI (9TH)

MIN - SCOTT BAKER, JASON MILLER (4TH), MATT GUERRIER
(5TH), PAT NESHEK (8TH), JOE NATHAN (9TH) AND CHRIS HEINTZ

HOME RUNS: CHA - ROB MACKOWIAK (2) OFF SCOTT BAKER IN THE 3RD, 1 ON

MIN - NONE</div>

 

AL: CHI WHITE SOX at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CHI WHITE SOX 1 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 10 1
MINNESOTA 0 1 3 0 0 2 0 0 1 7 7 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: CHA - JON GARLAND, MATT THORNTON (7TH), MIKE MACDOUGAL (9TH), BOONE
LOGAN (9TH), DAVID AARDSMA (9TH) AND TOBY HALL, A.J.
PIERZYNSKI (9TH)

MIN - SCOTT BAKER, JASON MILLER (4TH), MATT GUERRIER
(5TH), PAT NESHEK (8TH), JOE NATHAN (9TH) AND CHRIS HEINTZ


WP - JOE NATHAN (2-1)
LP - MIKE MACDOUGAL (1-2)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: CHA - ROB MACKOWIAK (2) OFF SCOTT BAKER IN THE 3RD, 1 ON

MIN - NONE


TIME: 2:48 ATT: 29,042

PROBABLES: MIN - KEVIN SLOWEY (NR)
OAK - JOE KENNEDY (1-4, 3.62)

PROBABLES: CHA - MARK BUEHRLE (2-1, 3.86)
TOR - ROY HALLADAY (4-2, 4.37)</div>

 

AL: CHI WHITE SOX at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">CHI WHITE SOX (6) VS MINNESOTA (7) - FINAL

CHI WHITE SOX ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D Erstad cf 5 0 0 0 0 1 2 .268
T Iguchi 2b 4 1 1 2 1 0 0 .221
J Thome dh 3 0 1 0 1 1 0 .312
J Dye rf 3 0 1 1 1 2 1 .239
P Konerko 1b 4 1 1 0 0 1 4 .227
R Mackowiak lf 4 2 2 2 0 1 1 .236
J Crede 3b 4 1 2 1 0 0 1 .232
A Cintron ss 4 1 2 0 0 0 0 .224
T Hall c 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 .182
a-A Pierzynski ph-c 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .253

Totals 35 6 10 6 3 6 12

a-grounded to first for T Hall in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - J Crede (4, S Baker). HR - R Mackowiak (2, 3rd inning off S Baker
1 on, 2 Out). RBI - J Dye (28), J Crede (21), T Iguchi 2 (11), R Mackowiak 2
(12). 2-out RBI - T Iguchi 2, R Mackowiak 2. Runners left in scoring position,
2 out - J Crede 1, T Hall 1. GIDP - P Konerko. Team LOB - 5.

BASERUNNING: SB - J Dye (1, 2nd base off J Miller/C Heintz).

FIELDING: E - P Konerko (2, throw). DP: 1 (A Cintron-T Iguchi-P Konerko).


MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Tyner dh 4 1 0 0 1 0 0 .264
N Punto 2b 2 1 0 0 3 1 0 .237
M Cuddyer rf 4 1 2 0 1 0 1 .302
J Morneau 1b 3 2 1 1 1 0 6 .294
T Hunter cf 4 1 2 3 1 1 2 .318
J Kubel lf 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 .238
J Cirillo 3b 4 0 1 2 0 0 0 .226
C Heintz c 4 0 1 1 0 0 1 .211
J Bartlett ss 3 1 0 0 1 1 1 .241

Totals 31 7 7 7 8 5 13

BATTING: 2B - T Hunter (17, J Garland). S - J Kubel. SF - J Morneau. RBI - J
Cirillo 2 (8), J Morneau (44), T Hunter 3 (45), C Heintz (3). 2-out RBI - J
Cirillo, T Hunter 3, C Heintz. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - T
Hunter 1, J Kubel 1. GIDP - M Cuddyer. Team LOB - 8.

FIELDING: Outfield assists - M Cuddyer (T Iguchi at 2nd base). DP: 1 (J
Cirillo-J Morneau).


----------------------------------------------------
CHI WHITE SOX - 132 000 000 -- 6
MINNESOTA - 013 002 001 -- 7

Two outs when winning run scored.
----------------------------------------------------

CHI WHITE SOX ip h r er bb so hr era
J Garland 6 5 6 6 5 2 0 3.91
M Thornton 2 1 0 0 1 2 0 3.37
M MacDougal (L, 1-2) 1/3 1 1 0 1 1 0 6.75
B Logan 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.52
D Aardsma 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4.72

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
S Baker 3 10 6 6 1 3 1 5.94
J Miller 1 2/3 0 0 0 1 1 0 0.00
M Guerrier 2 1/3 0 0 0 1 2 0 1.91
P Neshek 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.40
J Nathan (W, 2-1) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.85

D Aardsma pitched to 1 batter in the 9th.

Pitches-strikes: J Garland 103-64; M Thornton 26-16; M MacDougal 19-11; B
Logan 1-1; D Aardsma 4-0; S Baker 63-42; J Miller 26-16; M Guerrier 29-17; P
Neshek 9-6; J Nathan 5-3. Ground balls-fly balls: J Garland 11-5; M Thornton
3-1; M MacDougal 1-0; B Logan 0-1; D Aardsma 0-0; S Baker 4-1; J Miller 2-2; M
Guerrier 4-1; P Neshek 2-1; J Nathan 2-1. Batters faced: J Garland 27; M
Thornton 8; M MacDougal 4; B Logan 1; D Aardsma 1; S Baker 18; J Miller 6; M
Guerrier 8; P Neshek 3; J Nathan 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Charlie Reliford. 1B--Adrian Johnson. 2B--Larry Vanover.
3B--Tony Randazzo.

T--2:48. Att--29,042.
Weather: INDOORS</div>

 

AL: CHI WHITE SOX at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
CHI WHITE SOX 6
MINNESOTA 7 FINAL</div>

 

AL: CHI WHITE SOX at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHI WHITE SOX (6) AT MINNESOTA (7) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CHI WHITE SOX 1ST: D Erstad grounded out to shortstop. T Iguchi walked.
J Thome singled to right, T Iguchi to third. J Dye singled to left, T Iguchi
scored, J Thome to second. P Konerko grounded into double play, third to
first, J Thome out at third.(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 1,
MINNESOTA 0.

CHI WHITE SOX 2ND: R Mackowiak singled to right. J Crede doubled to deep
left, R Mackowiak scored. A Cintron reached on infield single to first,
J Crede to third. T Hall grounded out to catcher, A Cintron to second.
D Erstad struck out swinging. T Iguchi singled to right, J Crede and A Cintron
scored, T Iguchi thrown out at second attempting to advance on play. (3 Runs,
4 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 4, MINNESOTA 0.

MINNESOTA 2ND: J Morneau singled to center. T Hunter grounded out to
shortstop, J Morneau to second. J Kubel struck out looking. J Cirillo
singled to left, J Morneau scored. C Heintz flied out to right. (1 Run,
2 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 4, MINNESOTA 1.

CHI WHITE SOX 3RD: J Thome struck out looking. J Dye struck out swinging.
P Konerko singled to center. R Mackowiak homered to right center, P Konerko
scored. J Crede singled to center. A Cintron singled to right, J Crede to
second. T Hall popped out to third. (2 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHI WHITE SOX 6, MINNESOTA 1.

MINNESOTA 3RD: J Bartlett walked. J Tyner bunt grounded out to pitcher,
J Bartlett to second. N Punto walked. M Cuddyer walked, J Bartlett to third,
N Punto to second. J Morneau hit sacrifice fly to left, J Bartlett scored.
T Hunter doubled to deep left, N Punto and M Cuddyer scored. J Kubel grounded
out to first. (3 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 6, MINNESOTA 4.

MINNESOTA 6TH: J Morneau walked. T Hunter singled to left, J Morneau to
second. J Kubel sacrificed to catcher, J Morneau to third, T Hunter to
second. J Cirillo grounded out to second, J Morneau scored, T Hunter to
third. C Heintz singled to left, T Hunter scored. J Bartlett flied out to
left. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 6, MINNESOTA 6.

MINNESOTA 9TH: A Pierzynski catching. M MacDougal relieved M Thornton.
J Bartlett struck out swinging. J Tyner walked. N Punto grounded into
fielder's choice to first, J Tyner safe at second on throwing error by first
baseman P Konerko. M Cuddyer reached on infield single to shortstop, J Tyner
to third, N Punto to second. B Logan relieved M MacDougal. J Morneau fouled
out to catcher. D Aardsma relieved B Logan. T Hunter walked, J Tyner scored.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, Error) CHI WHITE SOX 6, MINNESOTA 7.</div>

 

AL: CHI WHITE SOX at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHI WHITE SOX (6) AT MINNESOTA (7) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chi White Sox Starting Lineups -- D Erstad CF, T Iguchi 2B, J Thome DH, J Dye RF,
P Konerko 1B, R Mackowiak LF, J Crede 3B, A Cintron SS, T Hall C, J Garland RHP.

Minnesota Starting Lineups -- J Tyner DH, N Punto 2B, M Cuddyer RF, J Morneau 1B,
T Hunter CF, J Kubel LF, J Cirillo 3B, C Heintz C, J Bartlett SS, S Baker RHP.

Umpires -- Charlie Reliford (HP), Adrian Johnson (1B), Larry Vanover (2B),
Tony Randazzo (3B).

Gametime Weather: INDOORS.


CHI WHITE SOX 1ST: D Erstad grounded out to shortstop. T Iguchi walked.
J Thome singled to right, T Iguchi to third. J Dye singled to left, T Iguchi
scored, J Thome to second. P Konerko grounded into double play, third to
first, J Thome out at third.(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 1,
MINNESOTA 0.

MINNESOTA 1ST: J Tyner flied out to center. N Punto walked. M Cuddyer
grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, N Punto out at
second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 1, MINNESOTA 0.

CHI WHITE SOX 2ND: R Mackowiak singled to right. J Crede doubled to deep
left, R Mackowiak scored. A Cintron reached on infield single to first,
J Crede to third. T Hall grounded out to catcher, A Cintron to second.
D Erstad struck out swinging. T Iguchi singled to right, J Crede and
A Cintron scored, T Iguchi thrown out at second attempting to advance on
play. (3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 4, MINNESOTA 0.

MINNESOTA 2ND: J Morneau singled to center. T Hunter grounded out to
shortstop, J Morneau to second. J Kubel struck out looking. J Cirillo
singled to left, J Morneau scored. C Heintz flied out to right. (1 Run,
2 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 4, MINNESOTA 1.

CHI WHITE SOX 3RD: J Thome struck out looking. J Dye struck out swinging.
P Konerko singled to center. R Mackowiak homered to right center, P Konerko
scored. J Crede singled to center. A Cintron singled to right, J Crede to
second. T Hall popped out to third. (2 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHI WHITE SOX 6, MINNESOTA 1.

MINNESOTA 3RD: J Bartlett walked. J Tyner bunt grounded out to pitcher,
J Bartlett to second. N Punto walked. M Cuddyer walked, J Bartlett to third,
N Punto to second. J Morneau hit sacrifice fly to left, J Bartlett scored.
T Hunter doubled to deep left, N Punto and M Cuddyer scored. J Kubel grounded
out to first. (3 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 6, MINNESOTA 4.

CHI WHITE SOX 4TH: J Miller relieved S Baker. D Erstad grounded out to
first. T Iguchi flied out to left. J Thome grounded out to second. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 6, MINNESOTA 4.

MINNESOTA 4TH: J Cirillo grounded out to third. C Heintz grounded out to
shortstop. J Bartlett grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHI WHITE SOX 6, MINNESOTA 4.

CHI WHITE SOX 5TH: J Dye walked. P Konerko flied out to left. R Mackowiak
struck out looking, J Dye stole second. M Guerrier relieved J Miller. J Crede
fouled out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 6, MINNESOTA 4.

MINNESOTA 5TH: J Tyner grounded out to second. N Punto struck out looking.
M Cuddyer lined out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 6,
MINNESOTA 4.

CHI WHITE SOX 6TH: A Cintron grounded out to second. T Hall grounded
out to third. D Erstad grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHI WHITE SOX 6, MINNESOTA 4.

MINNESOTA 6TH: J Morneau walked. T Hunter singled to left, J Morneau to
second. J Kubel sacrificed to catcher, J Morneau to third, T Hunter to
second. J Cirillo grounded out to second, J Morneau scored, T Hunter to
third. C Heintz singled to left, T Hunter scored. J Bartlett flied out to
left. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 6, MINNESOTA 6.

CHI WHITE SOX 7TH: T Iguchi grounded out to third. J Thome walked. J Dye
struck out swinging. P Konerko struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CHI WHITE SOX 6, MINNESOTA 6.

MINNESOTA 7TH: M Thornton relieved J Garland. J Tyner grounded out to
third. N Punto walked. M Cuddyer singled to left, N Punto to second.
J Morneau grounded into fielder's choice to second, M Cuddyer out at second,
N Punto to third. T Hunter struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
CHI WHITE SOX 6, MINNESOTA 6.

CHI WHITE SOX 8TH: P Neshek relieved M Guerrier. R Mackowiak flied out to
center. J Crede grounded out to second. A Cintron bunt grounded out to
pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 6, MINNESOTA 6.

MINNESOTA 8TH: J Kubel struck out swinging. J Cirillo flied out to center.
C Heintz grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 6,
MINNESOTA 6.

CHI WHITE SOX 9TH: J Nathan relieved P Neshek. A Pierzynski hit for T Hall.
A Pierzynski grounded out to first. D Erstad grounded out to second. T Iguchi
flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CHI WHITE SOX 6, MINNESOTA 6.

MINNESOTA 9TH: A Pierzynski catching. M MacDougal relieved M Thornton.
J Bartlett struck out swinging. J Tyner walked. N Punto grounded into
fielder's choice to first, J Tyner safe at second on throwing error by first
baseman P Konerko. M Cuddyer reached on infield single to shortstop, J Tyner
to third, N Punto to second. B Logan relieved M MacDougal. J Morneau fouled
out to catcher. D Aardsma relieved B Logan. T Hunter walked, J Tyner scored.
(1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) CHI WHITE SOX 6, MINNESOTA 7.</div>

 

AL: CHI WHITE SOX at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - -CHI WHITE SOX 1 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 10 0MINNESOTA 0 1 3 0 0 2 0 0 6 6 0 (BOT 9)CURRENT PITCHERS: CHA - MATT THORNTON MIN - JOE NATHANDUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J BARTLETT (.243, 0-FOR-2, BB) J TYNER (.264, 0-FOR-4) N PUNTO (.238, 0-FOR-1, 3 BB)</div>

 

AL: CHI WHITE SOX at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">AL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - -CHI WHITE SOX 1 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 10 0MINNESOTA 0 1 3 0 0 2 0 0 6 6 0 (BOT 9)CURRENT PITCHERS: CHA - MATT THORNTON MIN - JOE NATHANDUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J BARTLETT (.243, 0-FOR-2, BB) J TYNER (.264, 0-FOR-4) N PUNTO (.238, 0-FOR-1, 3 BB)</div>

 

Hunter's bases-loaded walk in ninth keys Twins' sweep

<h3>MINNESOTA 7, CHI WHITE SOX 6</h3>MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Torii Hunter did not even have to takethe bat off his shoulder to lift the Minnesota Twins past theChicago White Sox in the American League Central standings.

Hunter drew a four-pitch, bases-loaded walk in the ninth inningas the Twins completed a sweep of the White Sox with a 7-6victory on Wednesday.

After Boone Logan got Justin Morneau to pop up in foul territorywith the bases loaded for the second out of the inning, Chicagomanager Ozzie Guillen decided to call on righthander DavidAardsma to face Hunter.

Rushed to warm up in the bullpen, Aardsma clearly did not lookready as he was not close with any of his four pitches, forcingin Jason Tyner to end the game.

With its fourth straight win and the seventh in eight games,Minnesota (27-25) jumped past Chicago (24-24) for third place inthe AL Central.

The game-deciding free pass continued a trouble trend for theWhite Sox, who issued eight walks on Wednesday and 21 in theseries.

Ironically, it was a walk that started the Twins' rally in theninth, as Tyner worked one with one out from Mike MacDougal(1-2).

Minnesota then got a lucky break as a ground ball by Nick Puntowas not converted into a double play by Chicago after firstbaseman Paul Konerko's throw to second base deflected off Tynerbefore hitting shortstop Alex Cintron.

Michael Cuddyer followed with an infield single to the hole onthe left side to load the bases.

Morneau then popped up the first pitch he saw, but Hunter wasable to make up for an earlier shortcoming with a keen eye. TheGold Glove winning center fielder had a chance to snap the 6-6tie for the Twins in the seventh, but struck out with runners onfirst and third.

Closer Joe Nathan (2-1) picked up the win after after working aperfect top of the ninth.

The White Sox, who have lost their last four games, got off to astrong start, as Rob Mackowiak's two-run homer in the thirdbuilt a 6-1 lead.

Thanks to the walks, the Twins rallied, tying the score at 6-6on an RBI single by Chris Heintz in the sixth.

 

Hunter's bases-loaded walk in ninth keys Twins' sweep

<h3>MINNESOTA 7, CHI WHITE SOX 6</h3>MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Torii Hunter did not even have to takethe bat off his shoulder to lift the Minnesota Twins past theChicago White Sox in the American League Central standings.

Hunter drew a four-pitch, bases-loaded walk in the ninth inningas the Twins completed a sweep of the White Sox with a 7-6victory on Wednesday.

After Boone Logan got Justin Morneau to pop up in foul territorywith the bases loaded for the second out of the inning, Chicagomanager Ozzie Guillen decided to call on righthander DavidAardsma to face Hunter.

Rushed to warm up in the bullpen, Aardsma clearly did not lookready as he was not close with any of his four pitches, forcingin Jason Tyner to end the game.

"He couldn't find the strike zone," Hunter said. "If I swingright there, somebody should call the police.

"I wanted to put the bat on the ball, but it was out of thestrike zone. I don't think he was warm, and he couldn't findthe strike zone."

With its fourth straight win and the seventh in eight games,Minnesota (27-25) jumped past Chicago (24-24) for third place inthe AL Central.

The game-deciding free pass continued a troubling trend for theWhite Sox, who issued eight walks on Wednesday and 21 in theseries.

"I don't think it is Aardsma's fault, or this guy's fault,"Guillen said. "I think it was everyone on the mound's fault.The only one that threw the ball good all week was (Matt)Thornton. Everybody else did not throw the ball good."

Ironically, it was a walk that started the Twins' rally in theninth, as Tyner worked one with one out from Mike MacDougal(1-2).

Minnesota then got a lucky break as a ground ball by Nick Puntowas not converted into a double play by Chicago after firstbaseman Paul Konerko's throw to second base deflected off Tynerbefore hitting shortstop Alex Cintron.

"It was just a bad throw, it wasn't really a fluke," Konerkosaid. "It's a throw I have made a million times. I have got tomake that play."

Michael Cuddyer followed with an infield single to the hole onthe left side to load the bases.

Morneau then popped up the first pitch he saw, but Hunter wasable to make up for an earlier shortcoming with a keen eye. TheGold Glove winning center fielder had a chance to snap the 6-6tie for the Twins in the seventh, but struck out with runners onfirst and third.

Closer Joe Nathan (2-1) picked up the win after after working aperfect top of the ninth, following up on a five combinedscoreless frames from relievers Jason Miller, Matt Guerrier, PatNeshek.

"The only thing that the bullpen can do is to go out there andtry to put zeros up and see if we can pick away at the lead,"Nathan said. "The way we have been playing, we are confidentthat our guys are going to start swinging the bats, and they didtoday.

"When we got this thing tied, we definitely didn't want to bethe ones to let them down after they fought their way back."

The bullpen needed to coming up with an impressive effort afterstarter Scott Baker was hammered for six runs and 10 hits inthree innings.

The White Sox, who have lost their last four games, got off to astrong start, as an RBI double by Joe Crede and two-run singleby Tadahito Iguchi in the second supplied a 4-0 lead.

That advantage grew to 6-1 in the third on a two-run homer byRob Mackowiak.

Thanks to the walks, including five from Chicago starter JonGarland, Minnesota rallied, slicing the deficit to two runs whenMorneau lofted a sacrifice fly and Hunter delivered a two-rundouble in the third.

"That was straight "piranha" right there," said Hunter referringto the nickname given by Guillen to some of Minnesota's peskyhitters. "We are just doing what we have to do. We have abunch of guys that don't hit home runs, so these guys are doingwhat they do well."

The Twins continued to climb back, eventually tying the score at6-6 in the sixth after Jeff Cirillo plated a run on a ground outand Chris Heintz hit an RBI single.

Garland finished with all six runs allowed and five hits in sixinnings.

"I put this loss on myself," Garland said. "I got spotted sixruns. I gave it back to them. It should never happen, it didtonight."

 

Hunter's bases-loaded walk in ninth keys Twins' sweep*
=======================================================

MINNESOTA 7, CHI WHITE SOX 6
----------------------------
MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Torii Hunter did not even have to take
the bat off his