BASEBALL: Tristan Gray's slam leads Twins to skid-ending win over White Sox

Tristan Gray belted a grand slam and finished with five RBIs to lift the Minnesota Twins to a 9-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Monday night, snapping Minnesota's five-game losing streak.

Josh Bell went 2-for-4 with a double for the Twins, while Trevor Larnach contributed a 2-for-3 performance with an RBI.

Despite the loss, Chicago was powered by Miguel Vargas, who went 3-for-5 with two home runs and four RBIs. Andrew Benintendi also had a strong night, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs as the White Sox saw their own five-game winning streak come to an end.

Ryan Shines as Sandlin Struggles

Twins right-hander Joe Ryan (4-3) earned the win, giving up four runs on eight hits across six innings. Ryan exhibited excellent control, walking none and striking out nine.

In contrast, White Sox right-hander David Sandlin (1-1) endured a tough outing. He surrendered eight runs on eight hits in just four-plus innings, walking four and fanning four.

How It Happened

The Twins struck first in the opening inning, grabbing a 1-0 lead on Larnach’s RBI single to center field.

Chicago manufactured a run to even the score at 1-1 in the third. Sam Antonacci doubled to right, advanced to third on a flyout, and drove home on Benintendi’s two-out single to right.

Minnesota took control for good in the bottom of the fourth:

Gray launched a spectacular blast over the right-center field wall for a grand slam. The home run marked his second grand slam of the season, tying him for the most in the major leagues.

The White Sox refused to go quietly, cutting the deficit to 5-4 in the fifth inning. Vargas energized the dugout with a two-run shot, and Benintendi followed immediately after with a back-to-back solo home run.

Twins Explode for Four in the Fifth

Minnesota answered the threat immediately in the bottom half of the frame with a four-run explosion to stretch their lead to 9-4. The Twins loaded the bases with no outs via two walks and a single, chasing Sandlin from the mound.

White Sox reliever Tyler Davis inherited the jam but found no relief. He surrendered consecutive RBI singles to Austin Martin and Victor Caratini, followed by back-to-back sacrifice flies from Luke Keaschall and Gray to cap the scoring.

Vargas threatened a late-game comeback in the top of the ninth, crushing a two-run blast to bring Chicago within 9-6. The hit marked his second homer of the night and his 15th of the season, but the Twins held on to secure the victory.

— Field Level Media / Reuters