Correia tagged, Twins fall to Abreu, White Sox

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Too bad for Kevin Correia, it was a good night for hitting at Target Field.

Jose Abreu launched his major league-leading 30th homer and drove in three runs, leading the Chicago White Sox past the Twins 9-5 Friday.

Correia (5-13) allowed a season-high 10 hits and seven runs. It was the second straight start where he’s lasted only four innings.

Abreu hit a hanging curveball into the left-center field bullpen to give Chicago a 3-0 lead in the first.

“The ball was flying everywhere. Bloops, blasts, the whole package,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

On Thursday, Minnesota starter Phil Hughes went only three innings after taking a line drive off his shin and exiting early. Kyle Gibson won’t make his Saturday start because of a sore back and offseason free-agent acquisition Ricky Nolasco remains on the disabled list with a sore elbow.

The Twins could have used a long start from Correia to rest a weary bullpen, but it didn’t happen.

“We need to win games,” Correia said. “I don’t really care about any of the small details right now. I just want to win some games.”

Gardenhire could have sent Correia, who only threw 79 pitches, back out for another inning, but didn’t want to risk further damage to his battered staff.

“I think he was gassed. We don’t want to hurt him, can’t afford that right now,” Gardenhire said.

Alexei Ramirez and Tyler Flowers also homered for the White Sox. Dayan Viciedo tied a career high with four of Chicago’s 17 hits.

In addition to the homers, the White Sox also had several bloops fall in and dribblers find just the right spot between infielders.

“We were hitting chalk lines and dribblers out front,” Chicago manager Robin Ventura said. “You don’t see that very often, that kind of stuff happening. It makes you feel good.”

Josh Willingham and Oswaldo Arcia homered for Minnesota and Chris Colabello added two RBIs, but it wasn’t enough to climb back out of the early hole dug by Correia.

“We hit the ball decently at the end of the game, but at that point we were down too many runs,” Correia said.

The Twins are now in last place in the AL Central, three games behind Chicago. A veteran like Correia could garner interest at the trade deadline, but not the way he’s currently pitching.

In two second-half starts, Correia is 0-2 with a 11.25 ERA.

“That’s two bad starts in a row. I need to get on another good run here,” Correia said.

It’ll be up to Logan Darnell, recalled before Friday’s game, to eat up some innings in his first major league start on Saturday and try to get the Twins’ pitching staff back on track.

John Danks (9-6), the subject of recent trade rumors, gave up four runs over seven innings. Heading into the start, he was 0-6 with a 6.18 ERA in his last eight games against Minnesota.

NOTES: Twins star Joe Mauer began hitting soft toss in the batting cage as he works his way back from an oblique strain. … Gibson hopes to start Tuesday’s game in Kansas City. Darnell will face All-Star Chris Sale (9-1, 2.03). … Hughes felt better Friday and doesn’t expect to miss his next start. … To make room for Darnell, Minnesota optioned SS Jorge Polanco to Double-A New Britain.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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