Francisco Liriano (6-11, 5.24 ERA) allowed 2 runs and struck out 9 batters in 7 innings as the Chicago White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 5-3 Saturday. It was Chicago's second straight win. They picked up a half game in the AL Central standings and lead the second place Detroit Tigers, who are playing Saturday afternoon, by 1.5 games.
Chicago led the entire game. Paul Konerko had a RBI-groundout in the first and then hit a 2-run home run in the third to put Chicago up 3-0. Gordon Beckham's RBI-single in the fourth made it 4-0.
Minnesota cut the lead to 4-2 in the seventh on a 2-run home run by Trevor Plouffe.
Both teams scored a run in the ninth - the White Sox on an RBI-single by Alexei Ramirez. The Twins loaded the bases with no one out in the ninth. A run scored when Justin Morneau hit into a double play, but the White Sox were able to get the final out one batter later. Matt Thornton picked up his third save for the White Sox.
For more on the White Sox, be sure to visit South Side Sox. For more on the Twins, check out Twinkie Town.