MINNEAPOLIS, July 17 (UPI) -- Joe Mauer produced a key two-run single in the eighth Friday and Minnesota capitalized on a sloppy effort by Chicago in the field to defeat the White Sox 7-4.
Only two of the Twins runs were earned in a much-needed win that moved Minnesota within 3 1/2 games of the division-leading White Sox in the American League Central. Minnesota had captured only two of its previous nine games.
The Twins took a 4-0 lead in the fourth -- three of the runs unearned, through a combination of a fielding error by third baseman Dayan Viciedo and a throwing error by second baseman Gordon Beckham.
Chicago climbed within 4-2 before the Twins gave themselves some insurance with three runs in the eighth.
White Sox reliever Tony Pena threw the ball away at first to ignite the inning and Mauer came through later in the frame with his two-run single.
Francisco Liriano (7-7) worked 7 2/3 innings to get the victory, striking out eight. Closer Jon Rauch allowed two runs in the ninth before Jesse Crain came on to retire the final two batters for his first save in four seasons.
Gavin Floyd (5-8) took the loss, although he gave up just one earned run on seven hits with five strikeouts in five innings.
