Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Sports
The Associated Press
Chicago

Gray lowers ERA to 2.84, helps Twins beat White Sox 4-0 to close on AL Central title

Sonny Gray
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Sonny Gray throws against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Sunday.
Nam Y. Huh | AP

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Sonny Gray closed on Gerrit Cole for the AL ERA lead, Edouard Julien and Jorge Polanco homered and the AL Central-leading Twins beat the Chicago White Sox 4-0 on Sunday.

Minnesota (79-71), nearing its third division title in five seasons, leads second-place Cleveland (72-78) by seven games with 12 games remaining.

Gray (8-7) lowered his ERA from 2.96 to 2.84, just behind Cole, who leads the AL at 2.81 for the New York Yankees. Gray gave up five hits in seven innings, struck out six and walked none, ending a three-start winless streak.

“That was a good way to finish the series,” acting manager Jayce Tingler said after the Twins took three of four from Chicago. “Sonny kind of came out from the get-go and set the tone."

Gray allowed leadoff doubles in the fourth and six innings, then retired three straight both times.

“That’s a time to buckle down more than any time in the game,” Gray said.

Griffin Jax and Emilio Pagán finished a six-hitter for Minnesota’s 11th shutout this season.

Dylan Cease (7-8) allowed three runs, four hits and three walks in six innings. Chicago (57-93) has lost seven of nine.

“It wasn’t my best, but it kept us in it,” Cease said.

Julien hit a three-run homer in the fifth, his 14th home run this season, and Polanco added his 13th of the season against Luis Patiño in the eighth.

“It’s big,” Julien said. “We’re closer to our playoff goal now. It’s fun to be on a team like this.”

Duck!

Twins third base coach Tommy Watkins had to dive, sending his helmet rolling, to avoid Ryan Jeffers’ foul liner in the second. He wasn’t hurt.

Baby watch

Bench coach Tingler was Minnesota’s acting manager while Rocco Baldelli is away, awaiting the birth of twins.

Welcome back

Former manager Tony La Russa, Hall of Fame DH Harold Baines and utility player Ron Kittle were on the field before the game as the White Sox celebrated the 40th anniversary of its 1983 AL West title. Chicago wore 1983 throwback uniforms, as it has done for all Sunday home games this year.

Trainer’s room

Twins: OF Michael Taylor (right hamstring strain) could be activated from the 10-day injured list as early as Monday’s series opener at Cincinnati, Tingler said. … OF Max Kepler sat out to rest.

White Sox: INFs Tim Anderson and Yoán Moncada and OF Luis Robert Jr. got the day off.

Up next

Twins: RHP Joe Ryan (10-9, 4.20 ERA) will open a three-game series at Cincinnati on Monday.

White Sox: Mike Clevinger (7-8, 3.61) faces fellow RHP Joan Adon (2-2, 5.92) on Monday at Washington.