MINNEAPOLIS — The rampaging Twins showed the White Sox who’s boss in the American League Central.
Completing a three-game sweep in convincing fashion, the Twins made the Sox look like bashful wannabes once again Sunday, winning 7-0 after 11-4 and 8-1 trouncings in the first two games.
The Sox fell to 23-29 in completing a seven-game trip that began with an encouraging split of four games against the Astros. The Twins (36-16) have won 11 of their last 12 games.
Right-hander Dylan Covey (0-4, 5.47 ERA) allowed four runs and three hits in six innings in a performance that was probably better than what those numbers indicate. All of the runs came in the third inning, the big blow a three-run home run by Eddie Rosario, who has 16 of the Twins’ major-league-best 104 bombs.
“Just made a mistake to a really good hitter with men on base, and he didn’t miss it,” Covey said. “Other than that, kind of smooth sailing for me.”
Covey struck out six and walked two.
Jake Odorizzi (7-2, 2.16 ERA) pitched 5⅓ innings of one-hit ball, striking out nine Sox.
The results this weekend emphasized how far the rebuilding Sox are from the toast of their division — and perhaps the league right now.
“Teams that we faced the last few weeks — teams like Boston and Houston and these guys — you’ve just got to execute everything pretty much,” Covey said.
“These are the clubs you look at . . . obviously in our own division, that we have to learn about how they are going about doing their business,” manager Rick Renteria said, “how we have to do our business against teams like this. Ultimately, we have to get better, period.
“Play better defense. Pitch better. Make adjustments, in-game adjustments. I think [the players] know that. They understand that, and I think it’s not for lack of trying. But you are looking at this team right now, and I’m going, ‘They have gotten pretty good. Pretty good.’ ’’
The Sox have lost seven consecutive games to the Twins and 14 of their last 20 and 18 of 25 against Minnesota.
The Sox had five hits, two by Charlie Tilson. Catcher Seby Zavala, making his first major-league start, struck out four times in four plate appearances.
Anderson (again), Garcia scratched
Shortstop Tim Anderson was scratched from the lineup for a second consecutive day, then center fielder Leury Garcia joined him on the bench.
Anderson has a sore right wrist and Garcia a sore right (throwing) shoulder.
Anderson’s wrist soreness stems from an at-bat against Twins righty Jose Berrios when an inside pitch caught part of his hand, Renteria said. Anderson had a butterfly bandage on his right hand by the base of his index finger and a wrap on his right wrist.
“The ball hit him [on the hand], caused some bruising,” Renteria said. “Bruising is blood. Blood travels, probably got into the wrist, causing irritation.”
Before he was taken out of the lineup, Anderson indicated he was ready to play. He was scratched after testing it in the batting cage.
This and that
Yoan Moncada extended his hitting streak to five games.
† The Sox were shut out for the fourth time this season.
† Eloy Jimenez (.217) was 1-for-12 in the series.
