MLB: Minnesota 8, Chicago White Sox 5

The Twins have won five in a row, the last three coming against Chicago, and increased their lead over the White Sox in the American League Central to nine games. Minnesota reached a season-best 30 games over .500 and reduced its magic number for clinching the division championship to eight.

Cuddyer scored the first of Minnesota's three runs in the opening inning on a single by Jim Thome and delivered a sacrifice fly in the fifth. Young added a two-run homer in the fifth that gave the Twins a 6-2 lead.

Chicago battled back within 6-5 with a three-run sixth, two of the runs coming on homers by A.J. Pierzynski and Alexi Ramirez.

Cuddyer singled home one of Minnesota's two runs in the ninth.

Carl Pavano (17-11) gave up four runs on eight hits in five innings, but picked up his second win in three outings after enduring a three-start losing streak. Matt Capps worked the ninth for his 39th save.

Mark Buehrle (12-11) also pitched five innings in taking the loss. He gave up six runs on eight hits.

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