Minneapolis, MN – Francisco Liriano took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins, 5-3, in the second test of a three-game series.
Trevor Plouffe hit a two-run homer in the seventh to end Liriano's no-hit bid. That was the only hit Liriano (6-11) gave up in seven innings of work, as the left-hander struck out nine and walked two against his former team.
"He (Liriano) just looked like he had a lot of confidence out there, just throwing strikes," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "His stuff moves all over the place. When he has that confidence and pounds the strike zone, he's tough."
Paul Konerko homered and knocked in three runs for the White Sox, who lead the Tigers by one game for first place in the division. Alexei Ramirez and Gordon Beckham added an RBI apiece.
Samuel Deduno (6-4) allowed four runs on three hits over four innings for the Twins, who have lost the first two games of this series. He fanned six and walked five.
The White Sox got on the board in the first inning. Kevin Youkilis walked, moved to third on Adam Dunn's single down the right-field line and scored on Konerko's groundout.
Konerko's two-run homer in the third made it a 3-0 game. Dunn, who made his return to the lineup after missing seven games with a strained right oblique, walked with two outs. Konerko followed with a blast to left-center field.
Chicago tacked on another run in the fourth. Dayan Viciedo walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch and raced home on Beckham's single to center.
Liriano retired 13 straight batters before walking Drew Butera to start the sixth. Pedro Florimon Jr. grounded into a double play and Ben Revere struck out looking.
"He (Liriano) was on point today," Revere said. "You've got to tip your cap off to him."
Justin Morneau was hit by a pitch with two outs in the seventh. Plouffe stepped to the plate and smacked Liriano's offering over the wall in left- center field, bringing an end to the no-hit bid.
The White Sox got one run back in the ninth after pinch-hitter Orlando Hudson walked, stole second and scored on Ramirez's infield single.
Minnesota loaded the bases with one out in the bottom half. Matt Thornton came in from the bullpen and got Morneau to ground into a double play. A run scored on the play, but Plouffe grounded out to end the game.
Game Notes
Chicago leads the season series by a 13-4 margin ... Liriano threw a no-hitter as a member of the Twins against the White Sox in Chicago on May 3, 2011.
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