MINNEAPOLIS, July 16 (UPI) -- A.J. Pierzynski put Chicago in front with a fifth-inning double Thursday and the White Sox overcame a six-run Minnesota second to defeat the Twins 8-7.
Bobby Jenks struck out Jim Thome looking with the tying run on first base in the ninth to preserve Chicago's ninth straight victory.
The White Sox boosted their lead over Detroit in the American League Central to a full game. The Twins fell 4 1/2 back. Chicago was 9 1/2 games out of first place five weeks ago.
Minnesota took a 6-4 lead in the second with a big inning that was climaxed by Joe Mauer's three-run double.
Chicago scored three times in the fifth to regain the lead. Pierzynski doubled home Mark Kotsay to tie it and after Pierzynski moved to third on a groundout by Alexei Ramirez, he scored on another groundout by Juan Pierre.
That run proved vital when Delmon Young singled home Mauer with two away in the ninth. Jenks then got Thome to collect his 20th save.
The win went to starter John Danks (9-7), who left with the lead despite giving up six runs on nine hits in six innings. Alex Burnett (1-2) allowed three runs while working an inning of relief.
The teams combined for 29 hits.
