White Sox beat Twins to win fifth home series
The Chicago White Sox continued their strong run at home Thursday afternoon, defeating the Minnesota Twins 6-2 behind another impressive outing from pitcher Davis Martin and a key extra-base hit from Randal Grichuk.
Chicago secured three wins in the four-game series while claiming its fifth consecutive home series victory. The White Sox have now won nine of their last 10 games against Minnesota dating back to last season.
Grichuk delivered the decisive moment in the third inning when he cleared the bases with a three-run double as part of a four-run rally that gave Chicago firm control of the game.
The White Sox finished with eight hits compared to five for the Twins, who struggled offensively over the final two games of the series after beginning a 10-game road trip with a 4-1 record. Minnesota was outscored 21-4 across the last two contests at Rate Field.
Martin continued his breakout season by improving to 8-1, tying Cleveland’s Gavin Williams for the American League lead in victories.
The right-hander worked six strong innings, allowing just one run on two hits while striking out five and walking two. The performance marked his fourth quality start in five appearances during May.
Chicago opened the scoring in the first inning when Colson Montgomery drove in a run with a two-out single after Miguel Vargas reached base on a walk and stole second.
The White Sox extended their lead significantly in the third inning through another stretch of two-out production. Two walks and a single loaded the bases before Tristan Peters delivered an RBI single against Minnesota starter Simeon Woods-Richardson.
Grichuk followed immediately with an opposite-field bases-clearing double that ended Woods-Richardson’s outing.
The Twins starter remained winless this season after surrendering five runs on five hits in 2 2/3 innings. Woods-Richardson walked three batters and struck out four before Minnesota’s bullpen stabilized the game with over five innings of relief work.
Martin retired the first seven batters he faced before Minnesota recorded its first hit during the third inning. Tristan Gray later doubled and scored on a Ryan Kreidler groundout in the fifth.
Victor Caratini added a sacrifice fly for Minnesota in the seventh inning while Byron Buxton reached base twice with a walk and a single.
Chicago also received another productive performance from Munetaka Murakami, who drove in a run with a single in the fourth inning. Murakami finished the series with five hits, including three home runs and five RBIs.
