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 The 27-year old Cuban-born slugger kept on hitting Friday night
and the Chicago White Sox overcame two blown leads because of it in
a 10-8 win over the Minnesota Twins at U.S. Cellular Field.
Abreu went 3-for-3, extended his career-high hitting streak to 21
games and has hit safely in 39 of the past 40 games. He also played
a key role in a four-run eighth inning that led to the victory,
which was Chicago's second straight and sixth in the past eight
games.
"Hit it hard and you expect something to happen because he's in a
zone right now," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "I think
anything you throw up there, he's going to hit hard. It's unfair
that you feel that way of a guy going up there, and if he doesn't
get a hit you feel like it's a bit unlucky. He's as hot as anybody
in the league."
Including Abreu, seven Chicago hitters had at least two hits in a
17-hit performance as a team.
 White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers went 2-for-4 with a home run and two
RBIs, shortstop Alexei Ramirez was 2-for-5 with two runs and two
RBIs, center fielder Adam Eaton went 2-for-4 with two runs and an
RBI and designated hitter Paul Konerko was 2-for-5 with an RBI
single that tied it 7-7 in the eighth.
"It's about making pitches and those are some veteran guys," said
Twins right-hander Casey Fien (5-5), who allowed two runs in the
eighth inning and took the loss. "Konerko got that hit and he's a
veteran guy who went out there and got a hit and Abreu almost took
my head off with one of 'em."
Abreu's line smash back through the middle of the field for a single
is what Fien was referring to, moving Eaton from first to third for
Konerko to bring home. Abreu went from first to third on Konerko's
single and scored on a single by Ramirez for Chicago's third lead of
the game, 8-7.
"I was trying to throw a ball," Fien said. "I think I threw a ball,
but you know, (Ramirez) is one of those veteran guys and he got to
it. It's just one of those things you've got to swallow."
The White Sox tacked on two more for insurance and needed them when
right-hander Jake Petricka loaded the bases with nobody out to start
the ninth inning. He wound up allowing a run but posted his seventh
save by striking out the final two hitters he faced.
An inning earlier, right-hander Javy Guerra (1-2) got the final two
outs in the top of the eighth to pick up his first win with the
White Sox.
Catcher Kurt Suzuki led the Twins by going 2-for-4 with three RBIs
and rookie first baseman Kennys Vargas went 1-for-5 with a two-run
double, making his major league debut on his 24th birthday.
Minnesota (48-60) dropped its third straight game and fell to 4-10
since the All-Star break.
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As for Abreu, he has now reached base safely in 10 straight plate
appearances. Aside from his heroics in the eighth inning, he also
singled and scored in the sixth to make it 6-5 Chicago, and drove in a
run in the fourth with a single.
The Twins rallied from deficits of 2-0 and 6-5 and did surprisingly well
against Chicago ace left-hander Chris Sale, including a five-run third
inning. Sale, the American League's ERA leader before the game, didn't
factor into the decision after allowing five runs (four earned) and
eight hits in six innings.
Sale usually leads the charge when he pitches, but this time his
teammates picked him up on an "off" night.
"This team never quit fighting, especially when I put us in a pretty
good hole right there (in the third)," Sale said. "We never quit
battling and put some good at-bats together and some runs on the board
and its always nice to see."
NOTES: White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper returned to the dugout
despite lingering effects from a bout with vertigo that caused him to
miss 11 games, including a seven-game road trip. ... Injured Chicago RHP
Matt Lindstrom (ankle) and RF Avisail Garcia (shoulder) were scheduled
to start their rehab assignments Friday with Triple-A Charlotte. ...
White Sox SS prospect Tyler Saladino recently underwent season-ending
Tommy John surgery. ... Chicago GM Rick Hahn said before the game that
he'll continue to search for trade partners in August, when players can
be moved through the waivers process. ... Twins 1B Kennys Vargas made
his major league debut Friday night on his 24th birthday ... RHP Ricky
Nolasco (elbow) and 1B Joe Mauer (oblique) are scheduled to begin minor
league rehab assignments next week.
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