Twins Give Up Late Lead But Rally To Walk Off White Sox 5-4

This was a game that appeared to be in the bag for the Twins, but Glen Perkins blew the save late. Instead of rolling over like they may have done in past years, the Twins didn't give up and instead used it to walk off the White Sox 5-4 tonight.

Ricky Nolasco started shaky for the Twins but turned in a decent outing overall. He did give up solo home runs to both Gordon Beckham and Jose Abreu in the first inning, but shut the door on the White Sox afterwards. From then on, the Sox did not get a runner to 2nd base again until the 6th inning, but Matt Guerrier relieved Nolasco and was able to get a pair of fly outs to end the threat.

The Twins were down 2-0 early thanks to those solo home runs, but they regained the lead in the 2nd. Eduardo Escobar continued his double parade by hitting a two-bagger with the bases loaded, scoring two and tying the score. He was immediately followed by a sacrifice fly from Sam Fuld, and the Twins quickly regained the lead.

Kurt Suzuki added another run from an RBI single in the 3rd and the Twins looked to be on their way to a victory, but Glen Perkins coughed up the lead in the 9th inning. Dayan Viciedo hit a one-out triple, and then pinch-hitter Paul Konerko brought him home with an RBI single. Tyler Flowers followed with a single, and then pinch-runner Moises Sierra scored on an RBI double from leadoff hitter Adam Eaton. Perkins did intentionally walk Beckham to load the bases, but then was able to induce a double play from Conor Gillespie to end the threat with the game tied.

The heroics from the Twins offense came in the bottom of the 9th. With one out, Eduardo Escobar and Sam Fuld drew a pair of walks from Sox reliever Daniel Webb. Scott Downs relieved Webb and retired Danny Santana on a line out to left, and then he was replaced by Ronald Belisario to face Brian Dozier. He's been the Twins' MVP thus far and he reinforced that with a single to left field to score Escobar. The White Sox did challenge the play, claiming that Escobar never touched home, but replays confirmed that he was able to get a hand in despite being blocked by catcher Adrian Nieto and the Twins took home the victory.

WP: Glen Perkins (3-0)

LP: Daniel Webb (4-1)

Studs

Kurt Suzuki (3 for 4, 2B, RBI), Eduardo Escobar (1 for 3, 2B, 2 RBI), Ricky Nolasco (5 1/3 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K)

Duds

Glen Perkins (1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB), Danny Santana (0 for 5, 1 K)