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 Milone threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings in the Twins' 6-0 win, which
was their first of the season and first as a manager for Paul
Molitor -- a former Twins player who got a beer shower in the
visitors' clubhouse.
"Not of my own design, but the players were up at the top of the
stairs waiting for me after coming in from the postgame interviews
(on the field)," Molitor said. "It was unexpected, but it was nice.
It's one game, but obviously the first win as a manager and our
first win of the season, it feels good to get that one out of the
way."
Second baseman Brian Dozier went 2-for-6 with a home run, first
baseman Joe Mauer hit a run-scoring single in the first for the
Twins' first RBI of the season and center fielder Jordan Schafer
lofted a two-run single in Minnesota's three-run ninth.
Milone allowed only two hits and two walks, struck out seven and
retired 16 straight hitters following a bunt single by Chicago
second baseman Micah Johnson started the second inning.
It was the fewest hits he has ever allowed in a start and improved
his record in five career starts against the White Sox to 2-0 with a
1.39 ERA and 26 strikeouts.
"My location was good," Milone said. "I think the pitch today was
the fastball inside. I've been getting it in on the hands. But
overall, I just felt comfortable."
Left-hander Brian Duensing threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings and earned
the save.
Hector Noesi started and took the loss for the White Sox, who are
0-4 for the first time since 1995 and have been outscored 27-7 so
far. They totaled only three hits against Minnesota and ended the
game on a sour note with a double play off a popup that ended with
Adam Eaton getting thrown out trying to score from third.
"It's disappointing," Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. "I think
right now guys are probably trying (too hard), forcing everything
... today with the hitting, you get a sense guys are trying to hit a
five-run homer with one guy on."
Noesi (0-1) threw 110 pitches and was wild through his entire
outing. Chicago's fifth starter allowed four hits, struck out six
and walked six, and the right-hander unleashed two wild pitches that
led directly to runs -- including the first run of the game.
After scoring only one run during their opening series in Detroit,
with no RBIs, the Twins (1-3) needed less than an inning to take a
1-0 lead Friday. Shortstop Eduardo Escobar was hit by a pitch with
one out in the first. He moved to second on a wild pitch and scored
on Mauer's single.
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The Twins added another run in the fifth on Escobar's double and
more wildness by Noesi before Dozier made it 3-0 in the sixth with a
solo homer off reliever Matt Albers.
Milone began mowing down Chicago's lineup after walking two in the
first and allowing Johnson's bunt single in the second. He retired
the side in order in five of the next six innings and had little
trouble with Chicago's revamped lineup.
"In the end you're going to be better off when you go through this,
but these guys got to fight through it," Ventura said. "It's tough
when it's at the beginning of the season like this, but you have to
see your way through it and see the light at the end of the tunnel,
and at the end you're going to be better off for it. But nobody
likes going through it."
NOTES: The Twins said they likely will place RHP Ricky Nolasco on
the 15-day disabled list Saturday because of inflammation in his
right elbow. Nolasco is expected to recover fully during the time
off. ... Nolasco's injury means RHP Trevor May will be recalled from
Triple-A Rochester and start against the Kansas City Royals in the
Twins' home opener on Monday at Target Field. ... Twins INF Eduardo
Escobar found out Friday morning that his fiancee, Eucaris Alvarez,
delivered their son, Jose Emanuel, in Minneapolis. Escobar played
Friday, will return to Minneapolis on Saturday and fly back to
Chicago on Sunday to play in the series finale. ... Chicago manager
Robin Ventura said LHP Chris Sale will be on a pretty strict pitch
count Sunday. Ventura said Sale's pitches likely will be capped in
the low 90s.
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