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Doug Padilla recaps the White Sox and looks at what changes might be in store for 2014.

A group that played defense as well as anybody in 2012 was nowhere near that good just one year later. Kevin Youkilis came to the White Sox during the 2012 season and settled the left side of the infield. This year, Jeff Keppinger was unable to take control of the third-base spot, while Conor Gillaspie showed flashes of solid defense early but wasn't able to maintain it. On the right side, Gordon Beckham and Paul Konerko both spent lengthy stays on the disabled list with injuries.

The good: When he was healthy, Beckham showed that he could be ready to be much more consistent at the plate, but that star potential that was being talked about when he broke into the league no longer is mentioned. When Gillaspie was acquired in a trade with the San Francisco Giants in spring training, he looked like a solid left-handed bat off the bench. He showed that if he continues to develop he can be much more than that. He admitted early that defense has never been his strength, but showed enough solid plays to make it clear that he should get better in that area. Nobody was touting Joe Crede as a solid defender either and he developed into a steady, if not spectactular, fielder.

The bad: It was obvious to see the defensive miscues on the infield that spelled doom for the White Sox, like Alexei Ramirez's 22 errors, which led all American League shortstops. The real issue is that nobody on the infield rose to the occasion offensively. Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn started all but 16 games at first base and yet White Sox first basemen finished ninth in the American League in home runs with 23 and 12th in RBIs with 77. Their 62 runs scored were 13th. At second base, the White Sox had a .306 on-base percentage, 11th in the AL, while at shortstop (essentially Ramirez), they were 12th in RBIs with 51. The biggest trouble spot was at third base where the 60 runs scored were 13th in the AL and the .287 on-base percentage was 12th. The White Sox only had 15 home runs from their third basemen, but four teams (Royals, Twins, Yankees and Angels) were actually worse.

Who's next: Marcus Semien was impressive as a September call-up and could push Gillaspie for playing time at third base next season. Keppinger is expected to revert back to his expected role of utility man. Could the White Sox be interested in trading Beckham this offseason? And if they do, what could they get in return for him? Semien, a natural shortstop, also has a little second base on his resume, while Keppinger can play there as well. If the free agent Konerko doesn't return, Dunn is expected to take over at first base full time.

2014 outlook: It doesn't seem like it can get any worse for the White Sox, but that's not just the story of the infield, that pertains to the entire roster. More is needed from Ramirez offensively and defensively. Early in his career, Ramirez was pushing his way into Gold Glove talk. At this point, the White Sox would be satisfied if he simply got his defense back to the middle of the pack.

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox closed out the season with one more defeat, falling 4-1 to the Kansas City Royals to finish the season with a 63-99 record.

How it happened: In what could be his final game with the White Sox, Paul Konerko started at first base and had one at-bat before he was removed. He received standing ovations when he came to the plate in the first inning and again when he left his position in the second inning. He fouled out in his only at-bat. Alexei Ramirez hit a home run for the White Sox, but the Royals were paced by two-run home runs from Salvador Perez and Brett Hayes. White Sox starter Jose Quintana gave up four runs in seven innings during his last outing of the season. The season ended when Marcus Semien struck out with the bases loaded.

What it means: The White Sox finished with 99 losses, tied for fourth most in franchise history with the 1934 team. The only White Sox teams that lost more games in a season were 1948 (101 losses), 1932 (102) and 1970 (106). The .389 winning percentage is the seventh worst in franchise history.

Outside the box: White Sox outfielder Avisail Garcia headed into the offseason just how the team hopes he will start things in 2014. Garcia, who was acquired from the Tigers in the July three-team trade that sent Jake Peavy to the Red Sox, went 1-for-4 in the finale, but in the previous 10 games he batted .317 (13-for-41) with a triple, three home runs and eight RBIs.

Off beat: Semien apparently likes returning favors quickly as the rookie gave back what he received in the third inning. After reaching base when Perez had trouble tracking down his wind-blown popup, Semien was then doubled up when he rounded second base on an Alejandro De Aza fly ball and failed to re-touch second when returning to first base.

Up next: The White Sox are five months away from spring training with a lot of changes left to be made. Two of the most obvious changes are to hire a new hitting coach and to talk to free agent Konerko about a possible return. Konerko said he will take a month before deciding if he wants to play again, at which point he would evaluate any offers.

CHICAGO – The Chicago White Sox fell 6-1 to the Kansas City Royals on Friday, their 22nd loss in their past 28 games.

How it happened: The Royals scored three runs in the first inning off White Sox ace Chris Sale and never looked back. The White Sox scored their lone run in the sixth inning on a solo home run from Gordon Beckham, his fifth. Sale gave up four runs on nine hits over 5 1/3 innings.

What it means: The White Sox still need to win one of the past two games against the Royals to avoid their first 100-loss season since 1970. The defeat guarantees the White Sox will lose at least 98 games, assuring them the fifth-most losses in franchise history. One more defeat and the White Sox will tie the 1934 team with 99 losses. The 1948 team lost 101 games, the 1932 team lost 102 and the 1970 club dropped 106.

Outside the box: Sale finished the best season of his young career with a 3.07 ERA after starting the night with a 2.97 mark. His 11-14 record was nowhere indicative of how well he pitched. The left-hander went 214 1/3 innings this season with 226 strikeouts and 46 walks. His strikeouts total improved by 34 over last season, while he walked five fewer batters. He ended 2012 with a 3.05 ERA.

Offbeat: Perhaps the White Sox had some extra fireworks to explode before the end of the season, because they put on a display in the sixth inning. Alexei Ramirez hit a drive to deep left field that sent Royals outfielder Alex Gordon climbing the outfield fence. Realizing the ball wouldn’t travel that far, Gordon dropped from the fence while catching the ball. It all looked so deceiving that the home run fireworks show started, with Ramirez making it almost to third base in his home run trot before realizing what happened.

Up next: The White Sox will send right-hander Erik Johnson (2-2, 2,82) to the mound on Saturday for his last outing of the season. The Royals will counter with right-hander Yordano Ventura (0-0, 1.59) in the 6:10 p.m. start from U.S. Cellular Field.

CHICAGO -- After committing five errors in Erik Johnson’s first two starts, both losses, this time out the Chicago White Sox scored a season high in runs. Johnson tossed six shutout innings, striking out eight in the 12-1 blowout of the Minnesota Twins.

Chicago snapped a six-game losing streak by hitting four home runs in support of the young starter’s first major league victory.

“He pitched well “ said White Sox manager Robin Ventura. “You are seeing him pitch for the third time; when you don’t give up any runs, you are kind of making your way through the lineup.

“That is real improvement. That is good stuff here, getting pitches when he needs them.”

Johnson was named to Baseball America’s 2013 Minor League All-Star Team late last week. With a youth movement gearing up for next season, Chicago is looking at youngsters like Johnson as possible rotation pitchers in 2014.

Due to a high pitch count (112), Ventura removed Johnson after six innings.

“He was getting up there,” Ventura explained. “You have to start attacking the zone. With a lead like that you have to be aggressive and not pick around the zone.”
Chicago scored seven times in the first inning, giving the pitcher wiggle room when he went out to pitch the second inning.

“This is where I want to be,” Johnson said. “It is another start to build off of. Each time I go out there I try to learn something new and build off of your last start.”

The White Sox had struggled to score as of late. Over the previous seven games on the homestand, they had scored a total of 12 runs in losing six of seven.


Alexei Ramirez tied his career high, chipping in with four hits, including his seventh home run of the season. The Sox scored more than six runs for the first time since an Aug. 26 loss to the Houston Astros.

Home at U.S. Cellular Field, the Chicago White Sox were hoping to break a horrendous slump that had them reeling in a six-game losing skid.

How it happened: Rookie Erik Johnson was making his third major league start. RHP Liam Hendricks was on the hill for the Minnesota Twins. Hendricks was in a purple haze, allowing seven runs and five hits while walking four in the two-thirds of an inning he lasted. Chicago sent 12 men to the plate scoring seven runs in the first inning. Alexei Ramirez drove in two with a base hit. Adam Dunn (32) and Dayan Viciedo (13) hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning. Jordan Danks hit a two-run homer in the sixth. Ramirez hit a solo home run in the seventh.

What it means: Johnson won his first major league game, shutting out the Twins for six innings. The seven runs in the first inning tied a season high for Chicago, also accomplished against the Detroit Tigers on July 9 in the eighth inning. Chicago had lost 15 of their previous 17 contests, entering play with the third worst record in baseball. Ramirez tied his career high with four hits.

Outside of the box: Gordon Beckham broke out of a 0-15 slump with an RBI single in the first inning, appropriately enough on his 26th birthday. … OF Avisail Garcia and his wife, Anakarina, welcomed daughter Annarella into the world on Sunday. Garcia will return to the team on Tuesday after missing two games. … The Sox announced a total of 960 dogs in attendance for their annual dog day promotion. … The Sox totaled 12 runs total in the previous seven games on this homestand.

Up next: Game 2 of the series will be at 7:10 p.m. CT, featuring LHP Jose Quintana (7-6,.3.56) facing RHP Mike Pelfrey (5-12,5.31).

CHICAGO -- Although the White Sox don't appear to have communication issues in the clubhouse, they still could try to improve support for their Latin American players in 2014. A number of essential Sox players, including Alexei Ramirez, Dayan Viciedo and Jose Quintana, speak some English but rely on team translator Lino Diaz, a batting practice instructor, to have a conversation with English-speaking teammates off the field.

While pitching coach Don Cooper and bench coach Mark Parent also are fluent in Spanish, the main advantage of adding a Latin coach would be the ability to provide moral support for a player after a tough game or a slump, making it easier for players who speak predominantly Spanish to sit down for an extended conversation or to hash out the subtleties of the game.

"We do have coaches who speak Spanish," Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "I probably have to get better at it. My Spanish is a little off at times. But it is an open door, come in and talk about anything, for all of our players. We could add a guy who could do that -- speak Spanish. Lino does a great job of getting our exact message out to the Latin guys. There are not always that many (coaching) spots that you are able to do it and find the right guy."

White Sox general manager Rick Hahn told reporters on Monday he will address the status of players and coaching staff after the disappointing 2013 season comes to an end on Sept. 30.

No one was concerned with any language barrier when the White Sox led the AL Central for 117 days in 2012. But losing bullpen coach Juan Nieves to Boston, where he became pitching coach this season, may have cost them a little from a communications aspect.

Paul Konerko believes the support system for Latin teammates is there.

"Baseball is such a universal language that if a guy makes a mistake or is out of position we can communicate," said Konerko, who has been the team captain since 2004. "From time to time all of us players need to be talked to. It really is a case-to-case situation on what is going on. You would be surprised how many guys speak Spanish on the team and coaching staff. Lino works hard even during games to keep the communication lines open. This is not all milk-and-cookie stuff, it is definitely telling someone to get in gear. The way I look at this subject is we have bigger fish to fry."

CHICAGO -– Alexei Ramirez, in the midst of a rocky season that is well below his own expectations, was out of the Chicago White Sox starting lineup for the first time Wednesday.

Leury Garcia, who was acquired Aug. 11 to complete the Alex Rios trade to the Texas Rangers, got the start at shortstop instead while batting leadoff.

Ramirez had started in all 131 White Sox games this season, and while his batting average is a respectable .287, his .377 slugging percentage is well below the .409 mark he had posted over his previous five seasons.

He has just four home runs and 41 RBIs this season, putting him on pace for career lows in each category. Before the season started, Ramirez put an emphasis on run production and his power game.

Manager Robin Ventura said his lineup change was not met with extreme resistance.

“It wasn’t anything to fight about,” Ventura said. “It was more about giving him a day [off].”

The White Sox have not had a true backup at shortstop all season, which has led to Ramirez’s extended playing time.

“I would say if we did, he would have gotten [a day off],” Ventura said. “There are times where you could see he could use a day, where he was fatigued. The way he’s playing you give him a day, and with the day off [Thursday] it turns into two. So he can recharge.”

Ramirez played in 158 games in each of the past two seasons.

Garcia was making just his second start since joining the White Sox. He started at second base Tuesday night, batting ninth.

He has well-above-average speed, but his .310 on-base percentage over six minor league seasons and .237 OPB in 29 major league games does not scream leadoff potential.

“He can because of the speed you can go that route,” Ventura said. “But he’s young. Both Garcias (Leury and Avisail) are young. I don’t think he’s maxed out as far as what he’s going to be. Hopefully this experience makes him better and you go from there. Speed is something you can’t teach.”

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox rallied in the eighth inning to eclipse the Houston Astros and go on to a 4-3 victory.

How it happened: Jordan Danks' career-high third hit of the game plated the tying and go-ahead runs in the eighth. The White Sox were hoping to solve the mystic of beating the worst team in baseball. Houston had defeated Chicago in four of the first five games between the two clubs this season. (The two teams played one of the ugliest games of the season Monday, angering both coaching staffs in a 10-8 decision in Houston’s favor.) On Tuesday, Sox starter Jose Quintana was coming off two solid outings (five earned runs in 13T innings). Both teams scored single runs in the fourth inning. Houston’s Matt Dominguez singled home the go-ahead run in the sixth inning. Dominguez’s blooper double plated the first run off of Quintana. His teammate Chris Carter had an RBI single in the eighth.

What it means: The White Sox won for the ninth time in 11 games. Chicago had lost six of their past eight to Houston going back to 2012. Addison Reed recorded his 36th save of the season.

Outside the box: Shortstop Alexei Ramirez will get his first day off of the season on Wednesday. ... Leury Garcia will start at shortstop in place of Ramirez after getting his first start at second base on Tuesday. ... Chicago was a major league best 8-2 over their past 10 games entering play Tuesday evening.

Up next: Houston RHP Jarred Cosart (1-1,1.60) and White Sox LHP Chris Sale (9-12 ,3.08) pitch the finale of the three-game series in a 7:10 p.m. CT start Wednesday.

CHICAGO -- Leury Garcia has a chance to show off his skills for the next two nights for the Chicago White Sox. The versatile infielder-outfielder plays second base tonight and will get a shot at shortstop on Wednesday.

Garcia was acquired in the July 31 trade that sent Alex Rios to the Texas Rangers. The 22-year-old Dominican is a switch-hitter who can play numerous positions.

“We need to get him in there and see what he can do,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “He has played enough of both [infield and outfield]. It is valuable to have someone that versatile to move in and out, especially if something happens.”

Garcia could eventually be looking at a full-time position.

Ventura wasn’t talking about a trade, but one of the White Sox’s biggest bargaining chips in the offseason might be the interest in shortstop Alexei Ramirez. The Sox came close to trading the 31-year-old Cuban before the non-waiver trading deadline on July 31. The Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals were both very serious suitors for the accomplished player despite his career-high 21 errors in 2013.

Garcia would be a nice fit is Ramirez is dealt.

Garcia, who had been signed and developed in the Rangers organization, is looking forward to some playing time the next 30 days.

“I am very happy to get a chance to play,” he said. “We have great players on this team. I know I will have to earn my time out there.”

The key to Garcia’s success might be how well he adjusts to playing primarily as a backup for now.

“I am working on all three jobs every day in practice,” he said. "My arm is used to throwing from all of the positions now; they can play me any place they like. Every day, I take fly balls in the outfield and ground balls at second and shortstop.”

Third-base and infield coach Joe McEwing managed against Garcia in the Arizona fall league in 2011.

"I am excited to work with him,” the Sox third-base coach said. “He is a very athletic kid. The maturity is still growing for the young man. We can’t forget he is 22 years old. He is still growing as a player and as a person. We really like what we see."

McEwing was consulted by the White Sox front office before making the trade.

“We were about 60-40 on his chances to be an everyday player,” said a Rangers insider. “Some thought he was a utility guy, but I see an aggressive kid who has a chance to be an every-day big league shortstop.”

McEwing was in favor of acquiring Garcia.

“In my opinion, he will help us win ballgames,” he said. “He can spell our starters and fill in anywhere. He has tremendous upside because of his versatile skill set. It will be nice to watch him develop.”

CHICAGO -- Finally elevated enough to be able to look down at rock bottom, the Chicago White Sox were able lament Wednesday's missed opportunities against the Detroit Tigers while still knowing that a better brand of baseball has arrived.

The White Sox just completed their first winning homestand in three months, and while it might not prove that things are permanently on the rise, it is finally a sign that the club wasn't as bad as their recent 10-game losing streak, and 13 defeats in 14 games suggested.

Bottoming out never is a graceful thing to do, and the healing process can have its issues as well, but in going 6-4 in the last 10 home games, the White Sox look to be in a better place, even though they lost four veterans in trades and, more recently, just left 15 runners on base in a 6-4 defeat to the Tigers on Wednesday.

"It's kind of a different team right now," manager Robin Ventura said. "We have some new players and it becomes a different mix of who you're playing. It's good. It's good they're starting out this way."

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CHICAGO – Despite 14 hits, the Chicago White Sox fell 6-4 to the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday in the finale of a three-game series and 10-game homestand.

How it happened: The White Sox jumped on the Tigers with first inning runs but couldn’t hold the lead to finish off a three-game sweep. The Tigers tied it in the third inning on a three-run home run from Miguel Cabrera and then scored three more times in the eighth inning to go ahead for good. John Danks went 7 1/3 innings, giving up six runs, but only four of them were earned. The White Sox scored their first-inning runs on an Avisail Garcia infield single, a sacrifice fly from Jeff Keppinger and a single form Conor Gillaspie. The White Sox left 15 runners on base, including at least two runners on base in six separate innings.

What it means: Just when things were improving on defense, it has all started to crumble again in a matter of days. Gillaspie had two errors Wednesday at third base a day after Alexei Ramirez had three errors at shortstop. The White Sox entered Tuesday’s game with just one error in their previous 11 games, maintaining an eight-game errorless streak during that stretch.

Outside the box: Despite the defeat, the White Sox went 6-4 on their just-completed 10-game homestand. The last time the White Sox had a winning homestand was May 20-27 when they went 5-3 in games against the Boston Red Sox, Miami Marlins and the Cubs. One game of that homestand against the Cubs was rained out.

Off beat: Cabrera can still hit it far, but with a bad left hip, he can’t run a lick. So when he hit a ground ball into the hole at shortstop in the seventh inning he merely hobbled up the line. Ramirez, in an effort to atone for his three errors Tuesday, made a sliding stop on the ball, rose to his feet, set himself slowly and threw across the diamond for the out. All Cabrera could do as he reached first base was applaud the play. In the ninth inning, Ramirez took away another potential Cabrera hit by sliding to his left for the stop. Cabrera merely stared Ramirez down after that play.

Up next: The White Sox will send right-hander Andre Rienzo (0-0, 4.42 ERA) to the mound Thursday at Minnesota in the opener of a four-game series. The Twins will counter with right-hander Mike Pelfrey (7-11, 2.77) in the 7:10 p.m. start from Target Field.

CHICAGO -- The worst season of Alexei Ramirez's career doesn't appear to be getting any better after the shortstop made three errors Tuesday night to give him 20 on the season.

Those 20 match his career worst, set previously in 2009 and 2010, and there are still 6 1/2 weeks remaining in the season.

"I don't know exactly what it is but going up the middle, some are different little hops and plays," manager Robin Ventura said. "We know he's better than that so there are times when there are some tough plays. He makes the really difficult plays. When he does make those it surprises you."

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CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox evened the three-game series with a 4-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday at U.S. Cellular Field.

How it happened: Alejandro De Aza hit a game-ending single in the 11th inning for the victory. The White Sox were close, but couldn’t tag Tigers starter Max Scherzer with his second loss of the season. They carried a one-run lead into the eighth inning before the Tigers got Scherzer off the hook with the game-tying run that came, in part, because of an Alexei Ramirez fielding error. Former Tigers outfielder Avisail Garcia had given the White Sox the lead with a two-run triple in the fourth inning and then scored when Omar Infante's throw to third base got past Miguel Cabrera. White Sox starter Hector Santiago gave up two runs over five innings, but just one was earned.

What it means: A day after appearing to force the issue in his first game against his former club, Garcia looked at least a little more relaxed Tuesday. His fourth-inning triple was his third hit with the White Sox and first extra-base hit. He also delivered his first two RBIs with the White Sox. His hard grounder in the ninth inning was changed from an error to a hit and his walk in the 11th inning allowed him to eventually score the game-winning run.

Outside the box: Sure there were two hits from Ramirez to extend his hitting streak to 10 games, but he also committed three errors. The White Sox had committed just one error in their previous 11 games after making 15 miscues in the 11 games before that. Their eight-game errorless streak, their longest since 2011, ended Saturday. The White Sox entered 11th in the American League with a .982 fielding percentage.

Off beat: So much for that outing June 30 when White Sox rookie pitcher Andre Rienzo didn’t allow an earned run in his major league debut. MLB overturned an official scorekeeper’s call and gave Carlos Santana a single instead of charging Ramirez with an error at shortstop. It means that all three runs in that outing were earned and Rienzo’s ERA rose from 2.95 to 4.42. Before the ruling was overturned, Rienzo had been the first White Sox pitcher to go at least seven innings and not allow an earned run since Jack McDowell in 1987.

Up next: The White Sox will send left-hander John Danks (2-10, 4.52 ERA) to the mound Wednesday in the finale of the three-game series. The Tigers will counter with right-hander Rick Porcello (8-6, 4.32) in the 1:10 p.m. start from U.S. Cellular Field.

CHICAGO – Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura played around with the lineup Saturday and not all changes were directly related to Alex Rios’ departure via trade one day earlier.

Alexei Ramirez was in the No. 3 spot for the second consecutive game, which was Rios’ old spot, but Gordon Beckham was in the leadoff spot for just the second time this season as Alejandro De Aza was given the day off. Conor Gillaspie batted second for the first time.

Newcomer Avisail Garcia also got his first start, playing in center field while batting sixth.

“Going forward, once you don’t have Rios here, things start moving around a little bit more than before just because of changes and personnel,” Ventura said. “As of right now, it’s there. It’s subject to change obviously.”

Garcia, who said he has no preference of where he plays in the outfield, was back in center field. It will be his 27th major league game in center. He has played 24 games in right and five in left.

“There is a different element to it that you have some younger guys up here that you can move around and just see what they can do,” Ventura said. “This is a process of moving forward that you’re kind of assessing more things than you were before.”

Causing even more of a lineup shuffle was the fact that Dayan Viciedo was a late scratch for the second consecutive day with a sore left thumb.

Saturday’s final lineup against Minnesota Twins right-hander Mike Pelfrey:

1. Beckham, 2B
2. Gillaspie, 3B
3. Ramirez, SS
4. Adam Dunn, DH
5. Paul Konerko, 1B
6. Garcia, CF
7. John Danks, RF
8. Josh Phegley, C
9. Blake Tekotte, LF

Andre Rienzo pitches.

CHICAGO -- The White Sox were swept in Friday's day/night doubleheader, losing 3-2 in the finale after falling 7-5 in the opener.

How it happened: Charlie Leesman was both erratic and effective in his major league debut, walking five, while holding the Twins to one run on four hits. Leesman, who pitched into the sixth inning, struck out eight. Alexei Ramirez and Blake Tekotte each hit home runs to give the White Sox a lead, but the Twins tied it in the eighth on Josh Willingham's home run off Matt Lindstrom and Oswaldo Arcia put the Twins ahead in the 10th on a home run against Dylan Axelrod.

What it means: The White Sox are excited about their pitching moving forward, and a lot of that uplifting feeling has to do with the pitching talent in the minor leagues. Andre Rienzo has already been impressive in two starts and now Leesman has shown what he is capable of doing. Even more promising is that Triple-A Charlotte right-hander Erik Johnson is probably ranked higher than Leesman in the system, but he didn't get the call Friday because he is just getting back from a groin injury.

Outside the box: After not hitting a home run since the second game of the season, Ramirez hit one in each game of the doubleheader. He became the first White Sox player to hit one in both games of a twinbill since Magglio Ordonez did the same in 1999.

Off beat: New White Sox outfielder Avisail Garcia, called up earlier in the day, arrived in the dugout in the fifth inning. There were handshakes and hugs as he met his new teammates. The White Sox were hopeful Garcia might start in the second game of Friday's doubleheader, but his plane didn't land at O'Hare International Airport until 6 p.m. and traffic prevented him from arriving in time for the 7:10 p.m. start. Manager Robin Ventura said he plans on starting Garcia in the outfield Saturday. In two trips to the plate after entering late in the game as a pinch hitter, he struck out and was hit by a pitch.

Up next: The White Sox will send right-hander Andre Rienzo (0-0, 1.38 ERA) to the mound Saturday for his third career start and first one at home. The Twins will counter with right-hander Mike Pelfrey (4-9, 5.23) in the 3:05 p.m. start from U.S. Cellular Field.