MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 3: Chicago White Sox Jeff Samardzija #29 in the first inning during MLB game action against the Minnesota Twins on September 3, 2015 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Andy Clayton-King/Getty Images)
J.B. Shuck's two-run, pinch-hit triple in the seventh inning sent the Chicago White Sox over Minnesota 6-4 on Thursday, the Twins' last home game before beginning a key road trip.
Eddie Rosario hit a grand slam for the Twins, who fell 1 1/2 games behind idle Texas for the second AL wild-card spot. Minnesota now starts a nine-game swing to division leaders Houston and Kansas City and wraps up at the White Sox.
Shuck's liner off reliever Casey Fien (4-6) made it 5-4 and helped Chicago win for just the second time in 10 games at Target Field this season. Shuck scored later in the seventh on Adam Eaton's sacrifice fly.
Jose Abreu had three hits for the White Sox.
Rosario's slam in the third put the Twins ahead 4-1 against Jeff Samardzija (9-11). The White Sox starter ended his six-game losing streak.
David Robertson got his 28th save in 34 chances.
The White Sox trailed 4-3 when Alexei Ramirez led off the seventh with an infield single that Fien kicked with his leg when it looked as if shortstop Eduardo Escobar already had a play on the ball.
Geovany Soto walked, Carlos Sanchez sacrificed and Shuck delivered.
Shuck hasn't started a game since Aug. 19 and had just six plate appearances in that stretch. He had been 6 for 26 with three RBI as a pinch-hitter this season.
Samardzija managed to earn his first win since July 28. He has an 8.33 ERA in his past seven starts and has allowed nine home runs during that span.
Fien has allowed runs in back-to-back outings after going 12 straight innings without allowing a run. The Twins bullpen had allowed just 11 earned runs in its last 45 2/3 innings for a 2.17 ERA.
Rookie Miguel Sano didn't start for Minnesota as he's dealt with a hamstring injury. He pinch-hit in the eighth with one runner on base, but flied out to end the inning.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Twins: Closer Glen Perkins was unavailable and won't leave on the upcoming road trip with the team as he deals with back spasms. ... RHP Phil Hughes threw in the bullpen for the first time since going on the disabled list on Aug. 14 with lower back inflammation.
UP NEXT
White Sox: Chicago heads to Kansas City and will start LHP John Danks (6-12, 4.82 ERA) in the first game of the series against RHP Kris Medlen (3-0, 3.51). Danks has lost four straight decisions, allowing two runs and seven hits in six innings against Seattle on Aug. 28.
Twins: RHP Mike Pelfrey (6-8, 3.85) will start for Minnesota in the opener at Houston. Pelfrey lasted just 3 2/3 innings and gave up four runs in a loss on Aug. 29 to the Astros in his last time out. Houston will counter with RHP Collin McHugh (14-7, 3.92).
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