White Sox's Cabrera has 4 hits in 10-4 win over Twins
CHICAGO -- The day began with a roster shuffle and an odd scene in the clubhouse. It ended with the familiar: another Minnesota Twins loss and another injury.
Roster moves and a benches clearing incident weren't enough to spark the Twins, as Trevor May's 97 mph fastball that plunked Jose Abreu in the stomach was the lone statement by Minnesota in a 10-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.
"Obviously, the losing piles up," manager Paul Molitor said. "That's how it's going right now."
Shortstop Eduardo Escobar's fielding error in the first led to two unearned runs on Cabrera's two-run double. Escobar then left with a groin injury in the third that Molitor said would likely land him on the disabled list.
It was a strange day from the start.
Before the game, Casey Fien sat at his locker knowing the reports that he and fellow reliever Tommy Milone had been placed on irrevocable waivers. Still, they were in better shape than relievers Ryan O'Rourke and J.R. Graham, who were designated for assignment.
Fien didn't pitch, but said he wouldn't mind, even if he may be gone by Saturday.
"I've got to showcase my stuff somewhere," he said.
Catcher John Ryan Murphy was also sent to Triple-A Rochester. The new look produced the same stuff for the Twins, who fell to an AL-worst 8-21.
Ricky Nolasco (1-1) gave up seven runs, five earned, and nine hits in five innings, and Oswaldo Garcia hit a two-run homer for the Twins.
"It seems to be a pattern, a couple plays change the game," Molitor said. "It changes the game if we don't make a couple plays that lead to four or five runs. Offensively we had a few good things happen today but the deficits are getting larger."
Mat Latos (5-0) labored through five innings before four relievers combined for four scoreless innings as the White Sox snapped a two-game skid.
May hit Abreu in the eighth, a half inning after Minnesota's Byung Ho Park was hit by a pitch on the elbow. The dugouts and benches emptied. White Sox manager Robin Ventura was upset May wasn't ejected.
Park was one of the first players to get into the scrum. No punches were thrown.
"In baseball you have to look out for your teammates and that's what I did," Park said.
Nolasco had his second straight rocky start.
"Definitely not what I envisioned happening early, but it's kind of the same story," Nolasco said. "We're not catching any breaks right now. A lot of balls go the other way and we're right in the game."
Latos was far from sharp, giving up four runs and seven hits in five innings. But he got plenty of help to surpass his win total from last year with three teams.
Abreu led off the third with a homer to left and the White Sox built a 7-4 lead on Brett Lawrie's RBI single in the fifth.
Kurt Suzuki had two hits, including an RBI single in the second in Minnesota's seventh loss in eight games.
Abreu was asked how he was feeling after getting plunked. He lifted his shirt to show a bruise on the left side of his stomach and smiled.
"(Abreu) hit a home run on a slider tonight," Molitor said. "It's been the MO to pitch him and try to get him off the plate."
SANO STRIKEOUTS
Twins RF Miguel Sano got the Twins within 5-4 on a fifth-inning sacrifice fly, but also struck out twice. He has 41 strikeouts in 103 at-bats.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Twins: Molitor said they'll likely make a move Saturday to replace Escobar. . 2B Brian Dozier (right hamstring) sat out, but was confident he'll play Saturday. Dozier was injured leaving the batter's box in his first at-bat Wednesday.
White Sox: C Alex Avila (strained right hamstring) went 0 for 1 with a walk to begin a rehab stint with Triple-A Charlotte. Ventura said Avila could rejoin the team as soon as Monday.
UP NEXT
White Sox LHP Chris Sale (6-0, 1.66 ERA) tries to become the majors' first seven-game winner Saturday. RHP Ervin Santana (0-1, 3.15), fresh off the disabled list following a back injury, starts for Minnesota.
