Minnesota Twins pitcher Nick Blackburn gave up just two runs in eight innings on the mound but had to watch reliever Jeff Gray (5-1) take the ball in the top of the ninth and promptly give up a two-run home run to Chicago White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski.
The homer broke a 2-2 tie and fueled Chicago's 4-3 win which snapped Minnesota's four-game winning streak. The Twins rallied in the bottom of the ninth as Denard Span, no longer the topic of trade rumors, capped off a big night with a run-scoring single. Span was 4 for 5 at the plate for the game.
Former Twins' left-hander Francisco Liriano looked sharp in his first start for the White Sox since being traded over the weekend. Liriano struck out eight of his former teammates in six innings while giving up four hits and two runs. Blackburn was equally effective through eight innings, giving up just five hits and two runs with just one walk.
Chicago reliever Matt Thornton (3-6) earned the win for the White Sox while Addison Reed held on to close out the game and earn his 17th save of the season.
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