Viciedo, De Aza homer, lead White Sox past Twins
MINNEAPOLIS — Dayan Viciedo hit a three-run homer and Alejandro De Aza added a two-run shot as the Chicago White Sox topped the Minnesota Twins 8-5 Saturday night.
Viciedo’s home run gave him five RBIs in his last two games, equaling his total from July 10 through Aug. 14.
Chris Sale (9-11) gave up four consecutive two-out hits in the third inning as the Twins scored three times.
The left-hander won three straight starts for the first time this season, giving up three runs and nine hits in seven innings, striking out eight and walking one.
Addison Reed worked a scoreless ninth to record his career-high 30th save in 35 chances.
Andrew Albers (2-1) took the loss after beginning his career with 17 1-3 scoreless innings, a record for a Twins starter. He allowed five runs and eight hits in seven innings.
Albers’ streak ended in the first when Paul Konerko’s groundout scored De Aza from third base.
Albers recorded back-to-back outs to start the fourth before Adam Dunn and Avisail Garcia hit consecutive doubles. Jeff Keppinger then walked before Viciedo hit his 10th homer.
Chicago added a run in the eighth when left fielder Josh Willingham lost Dunn’s two-out fly in the twilight and the ball dropped for an RBI double.
Dunn finished with three hits, giving him six in his last 11 at-bats and extending his hitting streak to nine games. He batted just .156 in his first 55 games, but since June 8 is hitting .322.
De Aza hit his 14th homer in the ninth.
Ryan Doumit hit a two-run homer in the Twins eighth off Nate Jones. Minnesota homered for the 10th straight game, its longest streak since 11 consecutive in August 2007.
Joe Mauer doubled and drove in two runs for the Twins, who lost for the fourth time in five games.
Willingham, Brian Dozier and Pedro Florimon all finished with two hits and scored a run. Florimon had just one hit in his previous 26 at-bats.
NOTES: Chicago INF Conor Gillaspie said his bruised left hand felt better after leaving Friday’s game in the eighth. Gillaspie said he was available for Saturday’s game and hopes to be back in the lineup Sunday. ... Minnesota agreed to terms with INF Brad Boyer of the St. Paul Saints independent league team on Saturday. Boyer, 29, is hitting .337 with seven home runs and 50 RBIs in 78 games. The former draft pick of the Seattle Mariners (2005, 14th round) and San Francisco Giants (2006, 13th round) will report to Double-A New Britain. The Twins have had success with independent league signees, including Albers, LHP Caleb Thielbar also from the Saints and recently demoted Chris Colabello. ... Hector Santiago (3-7, 3.37 ERA) will try to win for the first time since June 21 as he takes the mound for the White Sox on Sunday. The lefty is 0-2 in his last nine starts. The Twins will counter with Samuel Deduno (7-6, 3.54 ERA).