Minneapolis, MN – Brian Dozier clubbed an early three-run home run and Justin Morneau added a two-run blast, as Minnesota took down Chicago, 7-4, in the second edition of a three-game series.
Josh Willingham posted two hits, scored twice and drove in a run for the Twins, who have won the first two in the set and three of four overall.
Kevin Correia (6-4) worked 6 2/3 innings, and allowed two runs on five hits with six strikeouts. Glen Perkins worked a scoreless ninth, fanning two in the process, to earn his 18th save,
Adam Dunn knocked in a pair of runs and Alejandro De Aza hit a solo shot for the White Sox, who dropped their sixth contest in the last seven.
Chris Sale (5-6) lasted only five innings, charged in the loss with eight hits and four runs.
"I didn't have good command," Sale said. "I was coming out of myself. I just kind of need to gather myself and get the flow again and regroup next time out."
The hosts moved in front to stay in the second inning. Oswaldo Arcia reached on a one-out infield hit, then Clete Thomas walked and two batters later, Dozier cranked his fifth homer of the season to make it 3-1.
The Twins tacked on another run in the third, as three straight one-out singles, the last of which came from Trevor Plouffe, scored Willingham.
Joe Mauer reached on a fielder's choice in the sixth and Ryan Doumit walked, then Willingham's base hit plated a run, which also saw Doumit thrown out at third. Morneau's two-run shot to right made it a 7-1 game.
"I was sure hoping it was going to be gone," said Morneau. "That's for sure. It had been a while. So it was a good feeling. It was a good game for us. It's the monkey off my back, so hopefully we can get rolling here."
The White Sox answered in the seventh, as Conor Gillaspie doubled with two down and scored as Dayan Viciedo followed with a base hit, then Dunn's two-run single in the eighth against Brian Duensing pulled the visitors within three. Josh Roenicke allowed a Paul Konerko single but ended the rally by inducing a foul out from Gillaspie.
Perkins enjoyed a quiet final frame, setting down the side in order.
De Aza greeted Correia with his ninth homer of the season, but the ChiSox lead was short lived.
Game Notes
Morneau's homer was his first since April 28 and tied him with Kirby Puckett for fifth on the Twins' all-time list with 207 longballs ... Chicago has lost 14 of its last 16 road games ... Prior to the game, the Twins announced the signing of pitcher and first-round draft pick Kohl Stewart.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.