MINNEAPOLIS - Closer Brandon Kintzler and reliever Fernando Abad are two of the names that have surfaced among Minnesota's many trade chips leading up to Monday's non-waiver Trade Deadline.
But in the Twins' 6-5, 10-inning loss to the White Sox on Saturday, neither did much to appeal to potential buyers, as Kintzler allowed the tying run in the ninth inning before Abad yielded the go-ahead run in the 10th.
Kintzler entered for his ninth save opportunity of the season after Eduardo Escobar's go-ahead three-run homer in the eighth gave the Twins a late 5-4 lead. He allowed a one-out double to Chicago shortstop Tim Anderson before striking out Tyler Saladino, bringing the Twins within one out of a series victory and the Target Field crowd to its feet.
The Twins closer's 2-1 offering to veteran Melky Cabrera wasn't far enough off the plate, and Cabrera was able to line the sinker into left field for the two-out, game-tying hit. It was Kintzler's first blown save.
"We got behind some pretty good hitters and tried to be a little bit careful," said Twins manager Paul Molitor. "Obviously, they got a little bit too much of the plate and they delivered. It was a tough one when we got a chance to win there with three outs to go."
Kintzler was appearing in his third straight game. He also allowed two hits in the ninth inning of Friday night's 2-1, 12-inning victory, but was bailed out by rookie right fielder Max Kepler's sixth outfield assist to end the White Sox rally.
After the Twins stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, Abad yielded a pair of doubles, including the go-ahead RBI off the bat of Dioner Navarro, to put Chicago ahead for good.
Abad had been dealing with a back issue that limited his appearances, but hadn't allowed a run in his last four appearances before taking the loss on Saturday. He was also pitching for the third game in a row.
Since starting the season with an 0.79 ERA in his first 27 appearances, the veteran left-hander has posted an 0-4 record with a 6.35 ERA in his last 12 outings.