Dozier Homers Twice, Twins Beat White Sox 8-1
CHICAGO (AP) — Brian Dozier thinks the Minnesota Twins bring their aggressive style against all their opponents.
And it has been successful against the Chicago White Sox so far this season.
Dozier homered twice and drove in four runs and the Twins beat the White Sox 8-1 on Sunday. They have outscored the White Sox 57-26 in taking seven of 10 against Chicago.
"Every time we face them, we face good arms. We know we have our work cut out for us," Dozier said.
Dozier hit a solo shot off Jose Quintana (2-5) in the first inning and a three-run homer off Scott Carroll in the seventh for his second career multi-home run game.
The Twins are 18-6 when they score first and moved three percentage points ahead of the Tigers for second place in the AL Central.
"We should've swept," Dozier said. "We had that game won we feel like (on Friday).
"They've been playing really well, pitching, hitting, everything's been clicking for them. To take two of three on the road against the White Sox is pretty good."
Kyle Gibson (4-3) struck out eight, tying a career high, and allowed a run and four hits in eight innings.
"He was locked in," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "We just rode him out as long as we could. It was just a good trip for us. We did a lot of things well, pitched really well."
Jose Abreu homered in the fourth for the White Sox run.
The Twins improved to 15-6 in May after they went 10-12 in April and started the season 1-6. They have won six of their past seven series.
"We've got a lot of confidence in here," Gibson said.
The White Sox have lost five of six and dropped into last place by two percentage points.
"We are not just getting beat — we are beating ourselves and making good pitchers look great," White Sox first baseman Adam LaRoche said.
"It's embarrassing."
Dozier homered on Jose Quintana's second pitch of the game.
"We always preach that, whether that's a leadoff homer or whatever, score first," Dozier said.
The Twins scored four runs and sent nine batters to the plate in the fourth for a 5-0 lead.
Shane Robinson doubled and scored on center fielder Adam Eaton's missed catch on Joe Mauer's line drive. Mauer scored on Torii Hunter's single off Quintana's glove. A walk loaded the bases, and Eddie Rosario followed with a two-run single.
Quintana allowed seven runs (six earned) and struck out five in six innings.
Abreu hit his seventh home run of the season and first since May 9.
Brian Duensing threw a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
STAYING ALERT
The Twins displayed aggressive base running in the fourth when both Trevor Plouffe and Hunter advanced on Eduardo Escobar's fly out to right field. Chris Hermann drew a bases-loaded walk, and Rosario hit a two-run single for a 5-0 lead.
"Torii's read was really good," Molitor said. "We got two guys in scoring position on the fly ball. That's the way to play."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Twins: Reliever Casey Fien (right shoulder strain) started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Rochester on Saturday and threw a scoreless inning.
White Sox: RF Avisail Garcia returned to the lineup after missing the previous two games due to right knee inflammation. J.B. Shuck replaced Garcia as a pinch hitter in the seventh.
UP NEXT
Twins: RHP Ricky Nolasco (4-1, 6.00 ERA) seeks his fifth consecutive victory when he takes the mound Monday for the series opener against the Boston Red Sox.
White Sox: RHP Hector Noesi (0-3, 5.60) will start the road series opener against the Blue Jays on Monday. He is making his first start since May 9 in place of rookie Carlos Rodon, whose innings are being limited.
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