Minneapolis, MN (Best E Casino) - Alexi Casilla delivered the winning RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, as Minnesota rallied from a five-run deficit to shock Chicago, 7-6, and move into first place in the AL Central by a half-game over the White Sox.
Carlos Gomez went 4-for-5 with a pair of runs batted in and three runs scored for the Twins, who swept the three-game set and head into the weekend trying to wrap up their fifth division title in seven years. Denard Span had three hits and three RBI in Minnesota's fourth straight victory.
Gomez had a one-out RBI single in the eighth and scored the tying run on Span's triple down the right field line, sending the Metrodome crowd into a frenzy.
In the 10th, Nick Punto walked with one out, advanced to second on a Gomez groundout and moved to third when the ball eluded catcher A.J. Pierzynski in the dirt. Span was intentionally walked before Casilla laced a single off Bobby Jenks (3-1) to center to drive in Punto and start the on-field celebration.
"That atmosphere was incredible," said Punto. "It's a huge win, a huge sweep for us. We're in first place, but we're not done yet. We've got a huge series against Kansas City. Hopefully that crowd comes back because it was intense out there. It's fun to play."
The Twins, who went 8-1 this season at home against the White Sox, will host Kansas City this weekend for three games to end their season. Chicago has a trio of home games against Cleveland.
"I've never seen anything like it," said Jenks. "It's frustrating."
If a half-game difference looms after Sunday, the White Sox would have to play a make-up contest at home against Detroit on Monday.
Joe Nathan (1-2), the seventh pitcher used for the Twins, received the victory after throwing two scoreless innings.
Minnesota's bullpen allowed just two hits over 6 1/3 scoreless innings after starter Kevin Slowey departed with a wrist injury when he was hit by a line drive.
Orlando Cabrera homered for the White Sox, losers in six of their last eight games.
Joe Mauer doubled in Span in the opening inning, but the White Sox exploded for six runs in the fourth. It was during that inning when Slowey suffered a contusion of his right wrist. He was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center for X-rays, which were negative.
Cabrera homered to left with one out in the fourth. Jermaine Dye singled and Jim Thome doubled when Gomez and Span collided in right-center field. A Paul Konerko groundout gave the White Sox the lead, and Ken Griffey Jr. walked before Alexei Ramirez smacked an RBI single, as third baseman Brian Buscher bobbled the ball.
Pierzynski was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs, and Juan Uribe hit a line drive that caromed off Slowey's forearm. Slowey recovered and rushed a throw to first base, but the ball sailed down the right-field line, allowing three runs to score.
Slowey was then replaced on the mound by Matt Guerrier.
"When our starter goes out with the forearm, it would have been easy for us to say we're going to try and do this against Kansas City," said Nathan. "This was one of the most unbelievable games I've ever been a part of, even before the game-winning run. Win or lose, it would have been something I'll remember for the rest of my life."
Gomez tripled in a run and scored on a Span single in the fourth. Gomez tripled again in the sixth and came home on a perfect drag bunt by Span for a 6-4 margin.
Pinch-Hitter Brendan Harris doubled before scoring on Gomez's hit in the eighth, setting up the wild finish.
Game Notes
The Twins left 11 men on base...Minnesota completed its eighth series sweep of the season...White Sox starter Gavin Floyd allowed 11 hits and four runs in 5 2/3 innings, while Slowey was charged with five hits and six runs -- four earned -- in 3 2/3 frames...Minnesota out-hit Chicago in the game, 15-7.
