Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Thursday, May 08, 2008
Gomez hits for cycle to lead Twins over White Sox
 Minnesota Twins' Carlos Gomez hits an RBI triple during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green) |
CHICAGO — Carlos Gomez became the first Twins player since Kirby Puckett 22 years ago to hit for the cycle, Livan Hernandez took a shutout into the ninth and Minnesota beat the Chicago White Sox 13-1 on Wednesday night.
One night after Chicago's Gavin Floyd lost a no-hitter in the ninth, Gomez homered off Mark Buehrle (1-4) on the game's third pitch. He added an RBI triple in the fifth, doubled in a run in the sixth and completed the cycle with an infield single to lead off a six-run ninth. The ball deflected off reliever Ehren Wasserman, forcing a rushed throw by shortstop Alexei Ramirez that sailed wide.
Nick Punto added five RBIs, sending Minnesota to its sixth win in seven games.
Hernandez (5-1) was in line for his eighth shutout and his first since July 31, 2004, until Jermaine Dye hit a solo homer with one out in the ninth.
Rain delayed the start of the game for almost two hours.
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