White Sox: Defeat Minnesota Twins on eve of Kopech start

With Michael Kopech waiting in the wings, the White Sox defeated the Twins at Target Field Monday evening by a score of 8-5.

Several White Sox players had success at the plate, making the win a team effort.

Sluggers Jose Abreu and Matt Davidson led the team and Lucas Giolito had one of his better starts.

Giolito’s final line after pitching six innings wasn’t half bad. Especially considering that the Twins have some big hitters on the team. He gave up five hits with three earned runs. One was a home run by Jake Cave. Notably, the Sox held Joe Mauer and Miguel Sano off of the bases with the two going a combined 0-9 with three strikeouts.

Only two bullpen pitchers were needed by the Sox. In the seventh and eighth, Juan Minaya struck out five batters and earned goose eggs in the important hits and runs categories. Thyago Vieira pitched in the ninth. Fortunately, the offense had some backup runs, because Vieira gave up two runs to the Twins who put up a fight in the final inning.

Of the nine starting offensive players, all ended up on base with solid hits. Adam Engel entered the game in the fourth after Leury Garcia suffered an injury. Engel was the only player who did not get a hit in this game. Overall, the Sox racked up 13 hits and 4 walks.

Abreu and Davidson had similar lines. They each went 2-5 with no walks, but Davidson’s line was slightly better. He scored two runs and three RBI. Abreu had one run and one RBI. Davidson hit the only Sox home run on the night.