Brandon Kintzler blows the save, Fernando Abad takes the loss for Twins
Brandon Kintzler and Fernando Abad both were nonroster invites to spring training who have done so well that multiple teams are interested in dealing for the Twins relievers before Mondays nonwaiver trade deadline.
Saturday was not a good audition for potential suitors.
Kintzler blew the save in the ninth inning his first in nine opportunities and Abad gave up a run in the 10th as the Chicago White Sox pulled out a 6-5 victory at Target Field.
Eduardo Escobars three-run homer in the eighth charged up the announced crowd of 27,914. But he was a hero for only a few minutes, because the White Sox struck back in the ninth when Melky Cabreras single to left scored Tim Anderson from second to tie the score 5-5. Robbie Grossman has the weakest arm of the Twins outfielders and couldnt throw out Anderson despite getting rid of the ball in a timely manner.
For Kintzler, it marked the first blown save since he was installed in the role in June.
The Twins threatened in the ninth. Danny Santana led off with a double to right off Michael Ynoa, but Byron Buxton, trying to bunt him to third, popped out foul to first. Robbie Grossman struck out looking, but Joe Mauer was intentionally walked. Max Kepler walked on four pitches to load the bases for Brian Dozier. But Dozier was late on a 95-miles-per-hour fastball from Ynoa and popped out to end threat.
Chicago took the lead in the 10th when Avisail Garcia doubled off Abad and then scored on Dioner Navarros double to left.
Until the late innings, most of the applause went to former Twin Justin Morneau, who hit an RBI double in the fourth and a his second home run as a White Sox in the sixth.
The Twins took a 1-0 lead in the third solely because Buxton is fast.
He reached first on a throwing error by third baseman Tyler Saladino. He then took off for second and has the base stolen easily. But Dioner Navarros throw went into center field for an error, and Buxton was off to third.
When outfielder J.B. Shuck mishandled the ball, Buxton was waived home by third base coach Gene Glynn. Shucks throw home was up the third base line and in plenty of time to get Buxton, but Navarro lost the ball when he tagged Buxton as he sped by. Buxton was safe, and Navarro was charged with two errors on the play.
Buxtons speed was on display in the fourth when he made a splendid running catch of Melky Cabreras drive before smacking into the fence in front of the bullpens in left-center.
But the White Sox scored a run later in the inning when Morneau doubled off the wall in right, just out of Max Keplers leaping try. Milone got two quick outs in the fourth but then gave up three consecutive hits, including a two-run double by Cabrera as Chicago took a 3-1 lead.
Morneau gave the White Sox a 4-1 lead in the sixth with his home run. It was vintage Morneau, too. His eyes grew big and he huffed and puffed as his helicopter swing sent a towering drive into the seats in right.
But Escobar scored on Buxtons groundout in the seventh to get the Twins within 4-2, then Escobars blast gave them the lead.