Frustration continues for White Sox in 1-0 loss to Twins

MINNEAPOLIS – Kyle Gibson held the White Sox to five hits over eight scoreless innings, and Glen Perkins pitched out of a jam in the ninth to hand the White Sox a 1-0 loss on Friday night, their third in a row.

The Sox fell to 8-12 by losing for the ninth time in 11 road games. Jose Quintana pitched seven innings, allowing six hits and two walks while striking out five. Kennys Vargas scored the only run on a Quintana wild pitch in the fifth that both Sox manager Robin Ventura and Twins right fielder Torii Hunter (who was batting) referred to as a “passed ball.”

Glen Perkins struck out catcher Tyler Flowers looking with runners at second and third in the ninth to lock down the victory for Gibson (2-2, 3.56). Singles by Adam LaRoche and pinch-hitter Gordon Beckham and an error by left fielder Eduardo Escobar put runners on second and third with two outs in the ninth.

The White Sox, who were held to two runs or less for the 10^th time, had six hits. They are are 1-11 when scoring three runs or less.

“Obviously it’s frustrating for all of us,” said Adam LaRoche, who was 2-for-4 to raise his average to .208. “We’ve gone through some pitchers the last few days who aren’t overpowering but hit their spots when they needed them.’’

The Sox added Jeff Samardzija, closer David Robertson, Zach Duke, Dan Jennings, LaRoche and Melky Cabrera to their roster in the offseason, moves that invigorated a fan base and led manager Robin Ventura to say they expect to make the playoffs. They haven’t looked the part, getting outscored by 26 runs by their opponents in the first 20 games while the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals were getting off to fast starts.

“You just continue to go, continue to grind,’’ Ventura said. “Eventually that turns. Approach wise, effort and all that … but you just didn’t knock it in when you could, and that’s baseball.’’

Said LaRoche: “I don’t know. We’re going through one of those stretches where we’re not getting it going across the board. It will turn. It just sucks going through it.’’