Nathan blows it for Twins in 4-2 loss to White Sox

[September 03, 2009]  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Joe Nathan gave up back-to-back home runs to Gordon Beckham and Paul Konerko with two outs in the ninth inning, and the Chicago White Sox got to Minnesota's four-time All-Star closer to win 4-2 on Wednesday.

Nathan's fifth blown save this season in 40 chances ruined rookie Brian Duensing's seven shutout innings. In their final game at the Metrodome, where they finished 2-7 this year and 3-16 since the summer of 2007, the White Sox woke up and rallied for just their second victory in 10 games on this previously miserable road trip.

Nathan (2-2) followed the homers by walking Jermaine Dye and Carlos Quentin before manager Ron Gardenhire -- in the rarest of moves -- relieved him. Matt Guerrier gave up single to Alexei Ramirez that scored pinch-runner Dewayne Wise before Quentin came home on a wild pitch.

D.J. Carrasco (5-1) got the last out of the eighth and Bobby Jenks picked up his 28th save with a scoreless ninth inning.

The White Sox won for the second time in 58 games this season when trailing after eight. They hit into four double plays, Scott Podsednik was caught stealing after a leadoff single, and Quentin was easily thrown out trying to stretch for a double in the seventh inning. They brought a .221 batting average on this road trip into the game.

After getting beat up by Boston and the Yankees, the White Sox dropped the first two to Minnesota and fell seven games behind first-place Detroit in an AL Central race they're fast fading from. On top of that, popular designated hitter Jim Thome was traded after Monday night's game, perhaps a signal the front office has given up on the season.

They still have something left, as Nathan and the Twins stunningly found out. Minnesota was 3 1/2 games back of the Tigers when the day began, with Detroit's game against Cleveland looming later.

Jason Kubel's two-run, two-out single in the sixth inning against Mark Buehrle, after manager Ozzie Guillen ordered an intentional walk to Justin Morneau to load the bases, appeared to be all Duensing needed. Buehrle allowed two runs in six innings, but he hasn't won in eight starts since July 23.

Duensing now has two wins and two no-decisions with a 1.88 ERA in four career starts. He struck out seven and scattered five hits and two walks. Most of those seven innings were a breeze for the 2005 third-round draft pick and former University of Nebraska star, who struggled out of the bullpen but has helped stabilize the rotation at this most critical time with three straight solid starts.

NOTES: Kubel threw out Quentin from LF. He vacated his DH duty to give Joe Mauer a break behind the plate. Gardenhire said Mauer will get a full day off during the upcoming road trip. ... The White Sox wrap up their trip back in Chicago -- with a makeup game at Wrigley Field against the Cubs on Thursday.

[Associated Press; By DAVE CAMPBELL]

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