Morning Box Score

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Aug 18, 2010 1:00PM

Thome, Twins Sink Sox In 10
What is it about the Minnesota Twins that the Sox just can't seem to get past? While that's an open-ended question, we know specifically that former White Sox slugger Jim Thome was part of the equation last night as his two-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the 10th put the Twins past the Sox 7-6 in dramatic fashion. Down 4-0 early, the Sox bounced back thanks to homers from Paul Konerko and Mark Kotsay in the second and tied the game on an A.J. Pierzynski RBI double in the fourth. After the Twins went up 5-4, it was Alexei Ramirez tying the game up in the ninth with a solo homer and Ramirez gave the Sox the lead with an RBI in the 10th. But it was then Thome's show as he knocked the two-run shot off of reliever Matt Thornton. The Sox had chances to score more - included having the bases loaded in the ninth - and only went 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position. The Sox have lost 3 of 4 to the Twins over the past week and are 4-9 against Minnesota on the year. The loss drops the Sox four games back of Minnesota with the closest they can get being two games back if they take the final two games of the series. Gavin Floyd starts tonight for the Sox who hope to cut back into that lead (7:10 p.m., CSN).

Padres Nip Cubs
The Padres only had three hits on the night but they scored once which was enough to beat the hapless Cubs 1-0. The Padres scored on a bases loaded fielder's choice in the first and that's all they would need as the Cubs had another frustrating offensive performance. The put runners on base in each of the first four innings, had two men on including the tying run at third with one out in the eighth, and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. It also wasted a great start by Randy Wells (7 IP, 3H 1ER, 6K) who fell to 5-11 on the season. That's about the only positive thing to take away from this game which isn't saying a whole heck of a lot. Rookie Casey Coleman will get the start for the Cubs today as they have an afternoon affair with the Padres (1:20 p.m., CSN).