White Sox lose challenge, scoring opportunity

CHICAGO -- A call at second ruling Adam Eaton out trying to stretch a single into a double to end the eighth inning of Minnesota's 8-6 victory over the White Sox on Saturday night at U.S. Cellular Field was confirmed via video replay.

With Adrian Nieto on first after drawing a two-out walk, Eaton lined a shot off of the glove of third baseman Trevor Plouffe for his fourth hit of the game. Eaton also was looking for his fourth double, but Eduardo Nunez, who had entered in the top of the eighth as a pinch-runner for Josh Willingham, fired a strike from short left to second baseman Brian Dozier to nail Eaton.

White Sox manager Robin Ventura challenged the ruling, but the inning ended after the replay with the Twins still leading by one, 7-6.

"Yeah, that was huge," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said. "A couple times already in the game we've thrown trying to get a guy at home plate and all we needed to do was throw the ball to second to keep the man on first.

"That just puts more people in scoring position. Nunez picked the ball up and did the right thing with the baseball and we end up getting Eaton. Earlier in the game, we had the same opportunity and we threw the ball the wrong way. Those are little mistakes, but they all add up."

While the play appeared close via numerous replays, Ventura couldn't pass up the chance to challenge with his team down by just the one run and Gordon Beckham (two hits), Jose Abreu and Alexei Ramirez (homer, two RBIs) next up in the lineup.

The Twins would go on to win the game, 8-6, to even the three-game series.