White Sox starter Miguel Gonzalez scattered seven hits and two runs in six innings to pick up the victory Saturday against the Twins. He struck out six and walked two.
He pitched his way in and out of trouble, putting runners in scoring position in the first, second, fourth and fifth innings but denying the Twins a run.
Gonzalez gave up a two-run home run to Jason Castro in the sixth.
“I was able to minimize damage and be under control,” Gonzalez said.
Zach Putnam and Dan Jennings provided three innings of scoreless relief.
Sox add Sox killer
The Sox signed outfielder Ryan Raburn to a minor-league contract, bringing aboard a famed Sox killer of the past.
Raburn, 35, spent 10 years at the start of his career with the Tigers and Indians.
He collected 110 career hits against the Sox, who were, by far, his favorite opponents. Raburn had less than half that number of hits against the rest of the division with only 50 against the Royals and Twins.
The Reds released Raburn toward the end of spring training. He batted .220 in 113 games for the Rockies last season.
Raburn has a .253/.317/.436 career slash line.
Against the Sox, he has 20 career home runs and 82 RBI.
Raburn will report to Class AAA Charlotte.
Defense rebounds . . . for now
The defense rebounded with an error-free game after committing three Friday.
Avisail Garcia, Jose Abreu and Derek Holland were charged with errors in the Sox’ 3-1 loss in the series opener — the third, fourth and fifth errors in this young season. Abreu and Garcia are responsible for four of them.
Manager Rick Renteria didn’t seem too concerned about the defense moving forward.
“You could see Avi as he was receiving it started to drop his head to pick up the runner at third base,” Renteria said of Garcia’s error, a dropped fly ball in shallow right field that allowed a run to score. “I’m sure he’ll do better the next time around.”
As for Abreu, Renteria said his first baseman has shown steady improvement since the start of spring training.
“All spring long, he’s been trying to work on getting into his legs a little more,’’ Renteria said. “I think he’s done a better job, actually. His preparation for the ball before it’s put in play has been much better.”
The Sox entered the game tied with the Mariners for the most errors committed.
Follow me on Twitter @DavidJustCST.
RELATED STORIES
Avisail Garcia continues strong start as White Sox beat Twins