Trevor May finds a rhythm, gets help in Twins' 11-4 victory over White Sox

The Twins on Wednesday hired a popular local DJ — named Vaski — to play music between innings of their game against the White Sox.

Was it intentional? Twins righthander Trevor May also likes to DJ.

"I really enjoyed warming up to the stuff he was playing," May said. "It's funny. Everyone was making jokes in the dugout about the rain delay and saying, "What are we listening to?"

May then added: "This was awesome."

While Vaski spun from one of the decks in the left-field corner, May twirled one of his better outings since his debut Aug. 9 and earned his first major league victory in the Twins' 11-4 rout of the White Sox. Kennys Vargas hit a two-run homer and drove in three runs to give him 31 in his first 32 games in the majors. Eduardo Nunez was a home run shy of the cycle, going 4-for-6 with two RBI.

May (1-4) lasted just five innings, partly due to a 16-minute rain delay that hit in the bottom of the fifth.

There were runners on first and second and the score tied 3-3 when the rains came. Once play resumed, Vargas flared the first pitch from John Danks to right for an RBI single. A second run scored when Oswaldo Arcia hit into a fielder's choice.

Eduardo Escobar smashed a two-run triple to right on the first pitch from reliever Matt Lindstrom as the Twins moved out to a 7-3 lead.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire elected to use the bullpen after the delay and long fifth inning. Chicago scored just one run the rest of the way, and May, who gave up three runs on six hits, one walk and six strikeouts, got his first victory.

"If he learns and watches a guy like Phil Hughes pound the strike zone, he's going to do OK," Gardenhire said.

May felt his stuff was the best it has been since his callup, and he used it to throw first-pitch strikes to 15 of the first 17 batters he faced.

"Stuff was sharper," he said. "I felt more confident throwing everything for strikes. Being able to use all your pitches at any [time in the count] was big. It wasn't as sharp as I have been, but sharper."

Hicks eyes winter ball

Last year, outfielder Aaron Hicks declined to play winter ball, which some in the organization felt was a mistake. This year Hicks is willing to consider it.

"It depends on how this month goes," he said.

Hicks, who said there is some interest from teams, said he would have to determine how many games he wants to play and when to play them.

He did indicate he would like to have some time to unwind before spring training begins in February.

Etc.

•The Twins announced that a group of 47 prospects has been invited to their fall instructional league, which will be Sept. 12 to Oct. 7 in Fort Myers, Fla.

The group includes their last two first-round picks, righthander Kohl Stewart and shortstop Nick Gordon.

Gordon's participation, however, will be severely limited because of a broken left index finger suffered on Sunday while playing for rookie league Elizabethton, Tenn.

• The Twins honored retiring White Sox slugger Paul Konerko before the game.

A video of Konerko's greatest hits was shown on the video board.

The Twins also presented Konerko with a 6 Liter bottle of Ladera 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon and donated $10,000 to his Bring Me Home Campaign, which helps raise awareness, generate support, recruit foster parents and advocate for the needs of foster children and families.