In a crucial game Saturday with the White Sox looking to extend their lead in the AL Central, closer Addison Reed loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth and put a 3-run Chicago lead in serious jeopardy.
Matt Thornton came in to finish the job.
Thornton faced Twins first baseman Justin Morneau with the bases loaded but induced a ground-ball double play. The Twins scored one, but the threat was essentially over. Thornton got his next batter to ground out as well to end the game with the White Sox on top, 5-3.
Writes Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago, the veteran Thornton knew what he was getting into with Justin Morneau at the plate.
"I'm pretty careful when I face Morneau," Thornton said. "He's a dangerous hitter and I knew what he was trying to do in that situation, obviously, after I saw his first swing. I swayed away from the gameplan talked to AJ about once I saw that first swing. Got fortunate, ground ball to Gordon."
The win proves huge for Chicago's playoff hopes. They currently sit only one game ahead of the second-place Detroit Tigers in the AL Central. The White Sox and Twins close their three-game set Sunday afternoon in Minnesota.
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