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Dozier remains in leadoff spot, goes deep again in win

Brian Dozier hit one of four Twins home runs in the first five innings on Wednesday afternoon, his second in two days. Oswaldo Arcia, Clete Thomas and Eduardo Escobar hit the others.

June 20, 2013 at 8:30PM
Minnesota Twins' Brian Dozier (2) is congratulated by Ryan Doumit (9) after hitting a two-run home run against Chicago White Sox starting pitcher John Danks during the second inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 20, 2013, in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Twins' Brian Dozier (2) is congratulated by Ryan Doumit (9) after hitting a two-run home run against Chicago White Sox starting pitcher John Danks during the second inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 20, 2013, in Minneapolis. (Associated Press - Ap/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Twins swept the Chicago White Sox with an 8-4 victory on Thursday afternoon at Target Field.

Scott Diamond was the winning pitcher as the Twins finished their nine-game home stand with a 6-3 record. They open a three-game series at Cleveland on Friday night.

Come back to startribune.com soon for a game update.

Two weeks ago, the Twins had faced only seven left-handed starting pitchers all season, by far the lowest number in the majors. Today, they will face John Danks, their fourth lefty of this homestand and their second in a row, with another lefty scheduled tomorrow night in Cleveland.

That's good news for Brian Dozier, who seems to be manager Ron Gardenhire's best option at the leadoff spot against left-handers. Dozier had three hits last night, including a three-run home run off Chris Sale, and is back atop the lineup today.

"It's worked yesterday, hopefully it'll work again," Gardenhire said. "We'll just see how it goes. He's been swinging more aggressive. And that's a better fit than what we've had. I like him up there."

Another thing he likes: having Josh Willingham in the lineup. After sounding worried about the outfielder's stiff knee on Wednesday, Gardenhire said Willingham's knee is apparently much better. "Hammer came in and said he feels great," Gardenhire said. "When I got here today, my first priority was to see what we were going to to with Hammer. And he just said he's playing."

That allows the Twins to use a similar lineup as last night, with just one change: slumping Pedro Florimon, batting .118 over his last 10 games, taking a seat in favor of Eduardo Escobar. The lineups:

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WHITE SOX

De Aza CF
Ramirez SS
Rios RF
Konerko DH
Dunn 1B
Viciedo LF
Keppinger 3B
Beckham 2B
Gimenez C

Danks LHP

TWINS

Dozier 2B
Mauer C
Doumit C
Willingham LF
Morneau 1B
Plouffe 3B
Arcia RF
Thomas CF
Escobar SS

Diamond LHP

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about the writer

about the writer

Phil Miller

Reporter

Phil Miller has covered the Twins for the Minnesota Star Tribune since 2013. Previously, he covered the University of Minnesota football team, and from 2007-09, he covered the Twins for the Pioneer Press.

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