MLB: Minnesota 7, Chicago White Sox 0

CHICAGO, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Nick Blackburn pitched seven shutout innings Monday in the Minnesota Twins' 7-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

Blackburn (11-11) tied a career-high for wins in a season after allowing eight hits and striking out six without allowing a walk.

The Twins have won seven of their last eight games and are 2 1/2 games behind Detroit in the AL Central Division with 12 games to go -- including four against Detroit.

Orlando Cabrera had two hits, two RBI and three runs scored, while Nick Punto was 2-for-2 with two walks, an RBI and two runs scored for Chicago.

Mark Kotsay had two of Chicago's eight hits.

With their fifth loss in six games, the White Sox have fallen seven games behind Detroit in the Central.

Daniel Hudson (0-1), in his first career start, gave up three runs -- one earned -- on four hits and four walks in five innings.