Photo courtesy of Chicago White Sox Facebook page

No offense to the Minnesota Twins and their fans, but I’m really glad they’re not very good this season. For years, the Sox had consistent trouble playing against them. This year, for whatever reason, the Twins aren’t very good, and the Sox took advantage of that this afternoon.

The Sox beat the Twins 8-2 for the series sweep. After getting swept by the Tigers last weekend, it was a much-needed sweep to keep the Sox tied for first in the AL Central, as Detroit beat Cleveland tonight. Both teams now sit at 53-45.

Jake Peavy and members of the bullpen provided some quality pitching to complete the sweep. Peavy picked up his eighth win, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks. He also struck out six. Leyson Septimo pitched two perfect innings to back up Peavy. Jesse Crain seems to be having a bit of trouble since coming back from the DL. He pitched two-thirds of an inning in the ninth but allowed three walks. Hector Santiago came on for the last out and bailed him out of a jam, but I’m a little concerned still that Crain is a bit off.

Sox batters had a good day as well. Especially Dayan Viciedo. Despite an error in the field, Viciedo went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, including a two-run homer off Twins starter Nick Blackburn in the fourth. Alex Rios also hit a two-run homer off Blackburn in the fifth.

In the third inning, Kevin Youkilis sprained his ankle rounding first after hitting an RBI single. Youk said it is just a mild sprain and he has “played with a lot worse all year.” He plans to be in the lineup on Friday in Texas, as the Sox have tomorrow off.

Another starter who intends to return Friday is AJ Pierzynski. He suffered a mild right oblique strain during Monday’s game, and while Robin Ventura said AJ could have played, they wanted to take precaution so he doesn’t reinjure himself and be out for a longer period of time.

Prior to the game, White Sox players got a few awards. Ventura presented Best Actor, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor awards to Gordon Beckham (for playing Peavy in the #TakeJake campaign), Paul Konerko and Jerry Reinsdorf. After those awards, Reinsdorf presented awards as well. He gave Philip Humber a specially designed ring to commemorate his perfect game, a silver and black ring to Konerko for his 400 home runs, and a bronze catcher’s mask to AJ for catching Humber’s game. You can check out the photos on the Sox Facebook page.

As the Sox travel to Texas for a weekend series against the Rangers, they look to Chris Sale to pitch them to another victory. Sale faces Yu Darvish Friday night.