Twins sock three homers, cruise to win over White Sox

[September 15, 2023]  The American League Central-leading Twins lowered their magic number to clinch the division to eight.
 
Minnesota (77-70) out-hit Chicago 10-6 while winning for just the second time in five games. The White Sox (56-91) have lost three straight and 10 of 13.
 
Maeda (5-7) allowed just two runs on four hits, one for extra bases, and one walk while striking out eight. He threw 69 of his 105 pitches for strikes. 

Sep 14, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Twins third baseman Kyle Farmer (12) crosses home plate after hitting a two-run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the seventh inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Winder and Brent Headrick closed out the victory with one scoreless inning apiece.

Andrew Vaughn connected for a two-run home run against Maeda in the seventh to pull Chicago within 6-2. It was Vaughn's 20th homer of the season, extending his career high.

A four-run, seventh-inning rally against White Sox starter Jose Urena proved to be the difference for the Twins, expanding the lead to 6-0. Minnesota tacked on four more against the Chicago bullpen in the ninth.

Urena, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Charlotte last week, saw a 2-0 deficit swell to 6-0 in the span of two hitters. Matt Wallner grounded a two-run single to right with one out in the seventh, and he scored on Farmer's two-run blast two pitches later.

Urena (0-6) retired the first nine batters he faced before proving susceptible to the long ball in the fourth. Julien led off the inning with a solo shot to right-center field before Lewis blasted a solo homer to left following successive Urena strikeouts.

Urena allowed six runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts and no walks.

Minnesota clinched the season series with Chicago by winning for the seventh time in 10 meetings. The Twins have won five in a row against the White Sox.

Alex Kirilloff and Wallner each had two hits and two RBIs for the Twins.

Eloy Jimenez doubled for the White Sox.

--Field Level Media

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