White Sox land a staggering blow to Twins

Twins players, of course, won't concede the season.

"We know we have it in us," outfielder Jason Kubel said. "We believe we can get another [run] going.

After a short pause, he added: "We keep saying that, but we have to do it."

After surging back from 20 games under .500 earlier in the season, the Twins now look like a fighter wearing down from too many body shots. Now they can't beat the White Sox, a team they have owned since the middle of the 2009 season.

They fell 6-1 to Chicago on Saturday, the Twins' 13th loss in their past 20 games. Righthander Carl Pavano did all he could to hold the score to 2-1 through eight innings. But the White Sox scored four runs in the ninth: The big blow was a two-run homer by Brent Lillibridge off Joe Nathan that had the closer hopping mad on the mound.

Chicago has won back-to-back games in Minnesota for the first time since 2007. The Twins entered the series 31-8 against the White Sox since July 2009. Chicago turned the tables on Saturday by outpitching, outpowering and outexecuting the Twins, who are now 11 games under .500 for the first time since July 2.

Rookie righthander Zach Stewart (1-1) won in his Chicago debut after being called up from Class AAA Charlotte on Friday. He was part of the July 27 trade in which Edwin Jackson was dealt to Toronto.

"That kid throws the ball really good," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Jason Frasor came in and struck out Danny Valencia on three pitches to end the inning. The Twins had to hold Chicago in the ninth with their two best relievers, then take their chances against closer Sergio Santos in the ninth.

Alejandro De Aza led off with a single then stole second. Juan Pierre walked. Nathan replaced Glen Perkins, but a wild pitch allowed the runners to advance to second and third, and Drew Butera's wild throw to second allowed De Aza to score.

Alexi Ramirez walked. Pierre then stole third -- his second steal of third in the game. Paul Konerko hit a grounder to short, but Matt Tolbert elected to throw to first instead of try for an inning-ending double play. It would have been close at second but worth the shot because Konerko, already a slow runner, has an injured calf.

Instead of ending the inning down 3-1, Pierre scored to make it 4-1. And, sure enough, Lillibridge homered on a 2-0 pitch. Nathan jumped in the air and swung a fist as the ball headed for the seats.