SB Nation Chicago - Twins Vs. White Sox: South Siders Grab Series Opener

Twins Vs. White Sox Final Score: Chicago Completes Sweep With 8-2 Win

2012-07-25T22:31:10Z

The Chicago White Sox completed a sweep of the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday afternoon with a 8-2 victory behind a powerful performance from Dayan Viciedo. With Jake Peavy also pitching well in the victory, the White Sox are now a half-game ahead of the Tigers in the standings entering tonight's games.

The Twins initially took a 1-0 lead over the White Sox after the first inning, but Chicago's offense came alive to score two runs apiece over four consecutive innings to ultimately take an 8-2 lead through five innings. The bullpen finished things off with three straight shutout innings, although the Twins loaded the bases in the top of the ninth inning.

Viciedo powered the White Sox offense on Wednesday, going 3-for-4 with a double, a homer and four RBI. Alex Rios also finished off a very solid series, going 1-for-3 with a homer, a walk, two runs scored and two RBI.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage of this series, head over to White Sox blog South Side Sox and Twins blog Twinkie Town. For more from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Twins Vs. White Sox: Kevin Youkilis Leaves Game With Ankle Sprain

2012-07-25T20:31:39Z

Chicago White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis left Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Twins with a mild sprain to his left ankle. He turned his ankle while running the bases in the first inning, but battled through the injury before ultimately leaving the game in the fourth inning.

At this point, Youkilis is considered day-to-day given that the injury isn't particularly serious. He was able to stay in the game for a few innings before the pain became too much, at which point Eduardo Escobar came out to pinch hit in the fourth frame.

Over 108 plate appearances with Chicago this year, the 33-year-old has hit .272/.370/.478 with five homers.

Twins Vs. White Sox Final: Paul Konerko And Adam Dunn Homer Again In Chicago Victory

2012-07-25T03:59:46Z

After getting swept in Detroit this weekend, it seems like the Chicago White Sox are back to playing winning baseball. The Sox defeated the Minnesota Twins 11-4 at U.S. Cellular Field on Tuesday thanks to home runs from Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn and Alexei Ramirez. Konerko and Dunn each went deep in the Sox's victory over the Twins on Monday, as well.

The win moves Chicago to 52-45, while Minnesota falls to 40-57. After Minnesota took a 4-2 lead by scoring three runs in the sixth inning, Chicago answered by scoring four in the seventh and five in the eighth to secure the win. Paul Konerko seems officially back from a month-long slump, finishing the night 4-for-4 with his 16 homer of the year. Adam Dunn was even better, finishing 3-for-5 with four RBI, three runs and his league-leading 30th homer of the season.

Twins Vs. White Sox Lineups: Tyler Flowers Replaces A.J. Pierzynski At Catcher

2012-07-24T22:41:37Z

A.J. Pierzynski is out Tuesday and considered day-to-day with a right oblique strain, so back Tyler Flowers is in the lineup. The full lineups are listed below.

Chicago:

1. Alejandro De Aza (L) CF
2. Kevin Youkilis (R) 3B
3. Adam Dunn (L) DH
4. Paul Konerko (R) 1B
5. Alex Rios (R) RF
6. Alexei Ramirez (R) SS
7. Dayan Viciedo (R) LF
8. Tyler Flowers (R) C
9. Gordon Beckham (R) 2B

Minnesota:

1. Denard Span (L) CF
2. Darin Mastroianni (R) RF
3. Joe Mauer (L) 1B
4. Josh Willingham (R) LF
5. Justin Morneau (L) DH
6. Ryan Doumit (S) C
7. Brian Dozier (R) SS
8. Alexi Casilla (S) 2B
9. Jamey Carroll (R) 3B

Gavin Floyd Trade Rumors: White Sox 'Eager' To Trade RHP, According To Report

2012-07-24T22:19:43Z

According to a report from Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, the White Sox are "eager" to deal Gavin Floyd. The two writers speculate that Floyd could be traded to help build a package of prospects that Chicago could then send to Milwaukee for Zack Greinke.

The White Sox want to add another starting pitcher and Greinke is high on their wish list, according to major league sources.

The question is how Williams, with a thin farm system, could muster a package to acquire Greinke. And the answer might be by trading right-hander Gavin Floyd for prospects the Sox then could add to a deal for Greinke, who is a potential free agent.

The upgrade from Floyd to Greinke over 10 to 12 starts might not be terribly significant, but Greinke potentially is much more of a difference-maker, particularly if the White Sox reach the postseason.

What’s more, the Sox are eager to move Floyd, sources say.

(Via MLB Trade Rumors.)

As is usually the case, White Sox GM Ken Williams is one to watch as the trade deadline approaches.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage, head over to White Sox blog South Side Sox. For more from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

A.J. Pierzynski Injury: White Sox Catcher Out Tuesday With Strained Oblique

2012-07-24T21:55:53Z

Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski will miss Tuesday's game against the Twins because of a right oblique strain. Pierzynski is considered day-to-day, according to the team.

A.J. Pierzynski has a minor strain of right oblique. Only bothers him when he swings. Day to day, according to #WhiteSox officials.
— Dan Hayes (@DanHayesCSN) July 24, 2012

Pierzynski, who is in the midst of the most productive season in his career, is hitting .287/.339/.509 with 11 doubles, 16 home runs and 50 RBI. In 15 major league seasons, the durable Pierzynski has been placed on the disabled list just once (Aug. 2011).

Tyler Flowers will start at catcher and bat eighth on Tuesday night.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage, head over to White Sox blog South Side Sox. For more from around baseball, visit Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

Adam Dunn Grabs MLB Home Run Lead With No. 29 Against Twins On Monday

2012-07-24T14:00:22Z

A year ago, Adam Dunn hit just 11 homers while batting .159 for the Chicago White Sox during the first season of a lucrative four-year contact. It's now safe to say those initial struggles on the South Side were a one-year aberration for Dunn. After hitting five homers in April, Dunn hit 11 in May -- yes, as many as he hit all of the 2011 season over 415 at-bats. Dunn's average has been sinking closer and closer to the Mendoza Line recently (he's currently down to .204), but the homers keep coming. On Monday against the Minnesota Twins, Dunn hit his 29th home run of the season, making him the new league leader in the majors.

The home run was Dunn's fifth of the month and first since July 15, when he homered in three consecutive games. Dunn now holds a one homer lead over Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers. Mark Trumbo of the Angels and Jose Bautista of the Blue Jays each have 27 homers this season.

Twins Vs. White Sox Preview: Jose Quintana Starts On Tuesday

2012-07-24T13:27:49Z

On Monday night, the Chicago White Sox broke a five-game losing streak by knocking off the Minnesota Twins, 7-4, in the opener of their three-game series. In game two, 23-year-old lefty Jose Quintana (4-1, 2.30 ERA) takes the mound for the Sox, opposite Cole De Vries (2-2, 3.95 ERA). Quintana has been stellar during the month of July, recording a 2.57 ERA and 0.90 WHIP over 21.0 innings, so hopefully he can keep it up against the Twins. The biggest question is whether Adam Dunn an Paul Konerko have slipped out of their respective hitting funks, so that will be the biggest thing to watch over the next few days.

Location: U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game Date & Time: Tuesday July 24, 7:10 p.m. CT

TV: WCIU