*Photo from ESPN*
Since celebrations of old have been outlawed this year, you may not find as much joy in watching a team clinch a playoff spot. Even the Chicago White Sox. Edwin Encarnacion homered, Eloy Jimenez hit the game winning double, and the White Sox rallied past the Minnesota Twins by a 4-3 score to clinch their first playoff appearance since 2008. They also extended their division lead over the Twins to 3 games.
The Twins got the scoring started in the second inning, when Byron Buxton hit a solo homer to make it 1-0 Twins. In the 4th inning, Jose Abreu tied the game with a solo homer. The Twins retook the lead in the 5th inning on another solo homer by Buxton. That lead didn't last long, as Encarnacion tied it in the bottom of the 5th with a solo homer, making it a 2-2 game. The Twins got the lead right back in the 6th on a Josh Donaldson solo homer. In the 7th, Jose Abreu hit an RBI single, which allowed Jimenez to double to left field, scoring Yolmer Sanchez and making it 4-3 White Sox, which held.
Despite celebrations not being allowed, Jimenez still wants to, saying that ''We said we're going to save it for when we clinch our division, we have 10 games left. We need to keep playing hard.'' Shortstop Tim Anderson simply said that ''We're definitely bringing excitement back to the South Side."
Codi Heuer got the win for the White Sox, pitching 1 2/3 innings, increasing his record to 3-0 this season. Heuer allowed two hits, no runs, and struck out 3 hitters. Reynaldo Lopez got the start for the White Sox, throwing 5 1/3 innings and getting a no decision. Lopez allowed 3 runs on 4 hits and one walk, striking out 6 hitters. Alex Colome threw a scoreless 8th and 9th inning, picking up his 12th save of the season. Jimmy Cordero also pitched for the White Sox.
Tyler Clippard got the loss for the Twins, getting just two outs in his appearance, falling to 1-1 this season. Clippard allowed the RBI single by Abreu and the double by Jimenez. Kenta Maeda got the start for the Twins, throwing 5 innings and getting a no decision. Maeda allowed two runs on 5 hits and no walks, striking out 8 hitters. Matt Wisler, Trevor May, Sergio Romo, and Caleb Thielbar also pitched for the Twins.
The Twins stay in Chicago, starting a 3 game series against the Chicago Cubs, where Rich Hill starts the opening game. The White Sox play the Cincinnati Reds, where Jonathan Stiever gets the start for the White Sox.
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