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CHICAGO – Here’s a quick look at the Chicago White Sox’s 11-8 win over the Minnesota Twins at U.S. Cellular Field on Thursday.

How it happened: The White Sox had a power surge on Thursday. They cranked five home runs against Twins’ pitching. A.J. Pierzynski, Paul Konerko, Dayan Viciedo and Alex Rios each hit solo home runs, and Alejandro De Aza hit his first career grand slam. Led by De Aza’s shot, the White Sox scored six runs in the sixth inning and went ahead 10-5 after trailing 5-4. The White Sox built a 4-1 lead in the third inning, but starter Philip Humber and reliever Nate Jones struggled in the fifth inning and combined to allow five hits, three runs, three walks and one wild pitch. The Twins also hit three home runs. Konerko went 2-for-4 and his average rose to .384.

What it means: The White Sox took their second consecutive series and have won six of their last seven games. They remained 3 ½ games behind the Cleveland Indians, who completed a three-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers on Thursday.

Outside the box: Rapper Snoop Dogg delivered one of the game’s ceremonial first pitches. He described the pitch as “a 75-mph screwball/changeup. It started as a screwball, and it changed up.”

Up next: The White Sox begin a three-game series with the Indians at U.S. Cellular Field on Friday. Jose Quintana (0-0, 0.00) will start for the White Sox after John Danks was placed on the disabled list. Jeanmar Gomez (3-2, 3.12) will start for the Indians. This will be the White Sox’s final series with the Indians until late September.

CHICAGO -- Here’s a quick look at the Chicago White Sox’s 6-0 win over the Minnesota Twins at U.S. Cellular Field on Wednesday.

How it happened: White Sox pitcher Chris Sale had his best outing since returning to the starting rotation after a short stint in the bullpen earlier this month. Sale allowed two hits, no runs, two walks and struck out six in seven innings. He hadn’t lasted more than 5 1/3 innings in his previous two starts. Adam Dunn gave the White Sox a 1-0 lead with an RBI single in the first inning, and Alex Rios added two more runs with a home run in the fourth inning to provide Sale a lead. Paul Konerko had three hits, including a home run. He raised his average to .381.

What it means: The White Sox quickly moved on from Tuesday’s woeful 9-2 loss to the Twins. The White Sox were bad offensively and defensively on Tuesday, and they bounced back in both ways in Wednesday’s win. As for the American League Central, they remained 3 ½ games behind the Cleveland Indians, who defeated the Detroit Tigers again on Wednesday.

Play of the game: White Sox infielder Orlando Hudson made the first start of his career at third base, and he looked like an old pro. Hudson made a bare-handed scoop and throw in the second inning, and he later fielded a grounder to his left, spun and threw out a runner at first.

Outside the box: The White Sox are 9-3 in their last 12 games against the Twins, but they’ve won just four times in the last 15 games against them at U.S. Cellular Field.

Up next: The White Sox close out their three-game series with the Twins on Thursday. Philip Humber (1-2, 5.31) will start for the White Sox, and Cole DeVries will make his major league debut for the Twins.

CHICAGO -- Chicago White Sox third baseman Orlando Hudson will make his first start for his new club against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday.

Hudson arrived to the team Tuesday after being released by the San Diego Padres last week and made his White Sox’s debut in the eighth inning when he replaced Eduardo Escobar at third base. It was Hudson’s first game at third base in the majors. He has played 1,268 games at second base.

Hudson was hit one groundball Tuesday and delivered a high throw to first baseman Paul Konerko, who was able to reach for the ball and record the out. Hudson also singled in his lone at-bat and scored for the White Sox.

Chris Sale (4-2, 2.91) will start for the White Sox and will be countered by Twins pitcher Scott Diamond (3-0, 1.40). Here’s a look at the White Sox’s entire lineup:

1. Alejandro De Aza – CF

2. Gordon Beckham – 2B

3. Adam Dunn – DH

4. Paul Konerko – 1B

5. Alex Rios – RF

6. A.J. Pierzynski – C

7. Dayan Viciedo – LF

8. Alexei Ramirez – SS

9. Orlando Hudson – 3B

CHICAGO -- Here’s a quick look at the Minnesota Twins' 9-2 win over the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field on Tuesday.

How it happened: The Twins have been White Sox starter Gavin Floyd's nemesis. He came into the game with a 0-7 record with a 7.65 ERA in his last seven starts against Minnesota dating back to Aug. 31, 2009. On Tuesday, it got worse for Floyd. He allowed eight hits, nine runs and three walks and lasted just 3 2/3 innings again them. Floyd has had problems in his last two starts after a stretch of four strong outings. He gave up 10 hits and seven runs in his previous start. Gordon Beckham gave the White Sox a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a solo shot. Beckham has homered in three of the last four games.

What it means: The White Sox just can’t seem to get it right at home. They fell to 7-13 at U.S. Cellular Field with Tuesday’s loss. They also dropped back to under .500 for the season.

Outside the box: White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko was worried before Tuesday’s game about a letdown after sweeping the Chicago Cubs over the weekend. Last year, the White Sox won both series against the Cubs and went on to lose their following series.

Up next: Chris Sale (4-2, 2.91) will start Wednesday for the White Sox in the second game of their three-game series with the Twins at 7:10 CT at U.S. Cellular Field. Scott Diamond (3-0, 1.40) will start for the Twins.

CHICAGO -- Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko will return to the lineup Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins after being hit in the face by a pitch against the Chicago Cubs and missing the past two games.

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MINNEAPOLIS -- The Chicago White Sox ended their six-game losing streak and won at Minnesota for the first time this year with a 5-3 victory on Monday.

How it happened: Mark Buehrle’s run of starts with three runs or less reached 17, but it wasn’t easy. Buehrle gave up three unearned runs in the first inning and then held the Twins scoreless the rest of the way. An Adam Dunn error at first base opened the door for the Twins' scoring. Carlos Quentin took care of the offense with two home runs, but neither came in his two at-bats with the bases loaded.

What it means: Uncomfortably anxious in their series against the Yankees, the White Sox somehow learned to relax against the team that gives them fits. The White Sox didn’t have a single walk against the Yankees but had seven Friday night. Not all of their anxiety issues have been solved, though. They were 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position as they could have buried an unusually sloppy Twins team.

Outside the box: Buehrle’s streak of 17 consecutive starts with three runs or less is the longest for a White Sox pitcher since Dave Lemonds had the same amount in 1972.

Up next: White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy (4-5, 5.13 ERA) will take the mound Saturday in the middle game of the series. He will be opposed by Twins right-hander Carl Pavano (6-8, 4.90) in the 6:10 p.m. start from Target Field.

CHICAGO -- If there is any tension in the Minnesota Twins clubhouse Thursday as they head into a four-game series at U.S. Cellular Field eight games behind Cleveland for fourth place in the AL Central, you wouldn't know it as manager Ron Gardenhire summons his trainer for the latest injury report.

"Since we have so many people on the DL, we decided to let the trainers do it," says Gardy with a playful smirk. "It's just a lot easier that way. If I call it a sprain, they call it a supernatural twist and then somebody gets mad."

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CHICAGO -- The White Sox killers are coming to town and bringing their bag of tricks with them.

The Minnesota Twins will open a four-game series at U.S. Cellular Field starting Thursday night and their recent domination of the White Sox has been noted.

The White Sox are not only 0-4 against the Twins this season, they have lost seven consecutive to them dating back to last season. During Minnnesota's last visit to Chicago, Francisco Liriano pitched a no-hitter.

Over the past 32 games, the White Sox are 6-26 against Minnesota. At home over that stretch, the White Sox are just 2-12.

But wait, there’s more. The White Sox are hitting .174 against the Twins this season and have been outscored 9-3.

Manager Ozzie Guillen was asked a question with the word “Twins” in it Wednesday, and he started to answer before the query was even finished.

“The way we play, we can’t win a Little League championship,” Guillen said. “I don’t care who’s coming, I only care how we play. You’re playing good, it doesn’t matter who’s coming into town. It could be the ’27 Yankees, we play good, we’re going to compete.

"We play the way we play right now, it’s hard for me to say we’re going to do this or that. The way we’re going about our business this last series [against the Royals], there’s a lot of ifs and a lot of questions to ask. Doesn’t matter if it’s the Twins, New York, Kansas City, I worry about how we play. If we play fine, we can take any team in the AL. But we’re not doing that right now.”

MINNEAPOLIS -- Coming back to the area where he made a name for himself, Jesse Crain says he doesn’t know what to expect from Minnesota Twins fans when his name is ultimately announced during the upcoming three-game series in the Twin Cities.

Crain figures to pitch at least at some point in the series and there is an outside chance he could end up closing a game.

The right-hander might have been a steady performer for seven seasons in Minnesota, but now his new team is ahead of the Twins in the standings, he could be used in a high profile role and then there is that little detail that he now plays for the rival.

If he was, say, with a National League team strolling into town for an interleague series, there is a good chance Crain would have heard cheers this week. But he is with the White Sox now and the decision to join the rival club was Crain’s alone.

“I don’t know,” Crain said. “I had a lot of friends there and the fans were great. But on the other hand, I know that I play for the White Sox now which is the rival so I don’t know. We’ll see what happens I guess.”

Crain said it would be nice to hear some cheers, but he has witnessed the hostile reception given to at least one former Twin.

“I see what they do to A.J. [Pierzynski],” Crain said. “It’s kind of funny to think about that. But either way I’m not going to let it let it affect the way I go about my business.”

Crain certainly has shown this season that he is unflappable. He switched uniforms, found a new place to live, had to forge a bond with new teammates, but has kept right on performing at a high level.

He has a 3.10 ERA this season, while 22 of his 28 outings have been scoreless. He gave up two runs to the Tigers in his first outing this month, but just before that he had given up just one run over 12 1/3 innings (13 outings) in May.

Now that closer Sergio Santos has started to struggle, Crain probably stands as the White Sox’s most consistent reliever this season. He even was used in the closer role Saturday and recorded the save, one day after Santos melted down in a save situation.

Santos started to struggle again Sunday before recording the save, leaving the White Sox’s coaching staff to decide what they do with the back end of the bullpen moving forward. Santos could get the next opportunity, but it’s possible Crain could get more looks in the role until Santos and his slider get back on track.

And this week in Minnesota could be the best time to do it. It’s in a stadium he knows, against a lineup he is familiar with and since he figures to be catching up with old friends and neighbors, he might not spend a lot of time dwelling on the bigger role.

“We have plans to go back to our neighborhood and see some neighbors,” Crain said. “I might make a visit up at the [community] center where I did a lot of work. The trip will go fast. I haven’t seen my kids in two weeks and that’s the most important thing. They’re going to be there so I want to make sure I have time to spend with them. It will be a good trip.”

Crain may or may not spend that time explaining to those friends that his loyalties lie with the White Sox now and making that transition wasn’t so hard.

“I feel like I fit in good here and the guys are great,” Crain said. “I’ve been able to mix in well with them. We all get along. And the coaching staff, they saw me pitch for seven years against them. They know what I bring to the table.

“They have treated me with more respect than I could have asked for. They don’t want to overuse me which shows me right here they care about me. I want to go out there and work hard and show them what they signed. They’ve made it really easy to transition here, and I have enjoyed it a lot.”

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox lost for the 17th time in their last 21 games, dropping a 3-2 decision to the Twins on Wednesday.

How it happened:One day after being no-hit there was no such drama as the first White Sox batter, Juan Pierre, reached on an infield single. The losing continued, though, as the White Sox got a solo home run from Alex Rios and a run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly. John Danks pitched well for the White Sox, but he got into trouble early in the sixth inning and gave up runs on a Jason Kubel sacrifice fly and a Rene Tosoni RBI single to snap a 1-1 tie.

What it means:After a horrible road trip when the White Sox went 3-8, their 1-6 record in the just-completed homestand was worse, at least when it comes to win percentage. The fact that Danks is 0-5 is one of the biggest crimes in baseball. His 3.83 ERA should be worthy of at least one victory by now. A.J. Burnett entered play Wednesday with four victories while carrying a 3.93 ERA. Max Scherzer also had four victories with a 3.82 ERA.

Stat of the day:The White Sox received 11 walks and were struck out three times by Twins pitching in the two-game series and scored a combined two runs.

Up next:The White Sox will have a day off Thursday and then open a three-game series at Seattle. On Friday, White Sox right-hander Phil Humber (2-3, 3.06 ERA) will face off against Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez (3-2, 3.21) in the 9:10 p.m. start from Safeco Field.

CHICAGO -- One day after being no-hit by the Minnesota Twins’ Francisco Liriano, there was no doom-and-gloom scenario in the White Sox clubhouse.

It wasn’t exactly Mardi Gras in there, of course, but other than general manager Kenny Williams, who said it would be a good idea if he was just left alone, nobody projected the image that this club is completely defeated.

“The one thing about this game, if you don’t have a short memory, you’re not going to have a long carer,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. “You have to turn around the next day and come back like nothing happened last night. You can’t carry on what happened one day to the next day, good or bad. You cannot.”

Changes in the lineup for Wednesday’s afternoon game against the Twins were minimal. Gordon Beckham and Brent Morel were given a rest against Twins right-hander Nick Blackburn, who entered the outing with a 1-4 record and a 5.14 ERA. Mark Teahen started at third base and batted eighth, while Omar Vizquel started at second and batted ninth.

“Whatever happened last night doesn’t mean anything today,” Guillen said. “That’s the good thing about baseball. Every day you have to prepare yourself mentally to be strong enough to overcome the good or the bad. If you had five hits yesterday, today you might be 0-for-4. That’s the beauty of this game. You have to come here and turn [yesterday’s] game off.”

The White Sox entered the game with a 1-4 record on the six-game homestand. They pitched well with a 3.80 ERA over the five games, but were batting just .203 as a team over the brief stretch and were outscored 25-16.

CHICAGO -- The Minnesota Twins' Francisco Liriano turned a matchup too ugly for attention into a thing of relative beauty Tuesday night against the Chicago White Sox.

The left-hander drew all the focus by pitching the first no-hitter of the 2011 season in a matchup of two down-on-their-luck teams. At least the 1-0 final score was representative of the offensive struggles from both clubs.

Just how backward was this rags-to-riches contest?

Liriano, a noted strikeout pitcher, was dumbfounded that his first career no-hitter and complete game came on a night when he walked six and struck out only two.

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The Minnesota Twins won 94 games in 2010, and while that sort of success is not unusual for this organization over the last decade, it was pretty exceptional. Those wins were accomplished with Justin Morneau playing just 81 games, and Joe Nathan missing the entire season with Tommy John surgery.

While the Twins' ability to bounce back from these devastating losses is a testament to the organization, what exactly they were missing shouldn’t be overlooked.

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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- A White Sox-Twins rivalry that has been among the best in baseball in recent years could be about to grow in intensity.


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