MINNEAPOLIS — Lance Lynn pitched like an All-Star in his start leading to the All-Star Game, Tim Anderson reached base five times, Leury Garcia had three hits including a homer and triple and the Sox continued to run roughshod over the Twins this season with a 6-1 victory Wednesday.
The Sox (51-35), maintaining a comfortable lead in the AL Central, are 10-2 after taking the series from the defending champion but last-place Twins (35-50).
A day after getting a night off to refresh, Anderson singled three times and doubled in his first four at-bats before walking. He also made a leaping catch on Ben Rortvedt’s soft liner in the second.
Throwing to recent Triple-A callup Seby Zavala, Lynn (9-3, 1.99 ERA) struck out six, walked three and allowed four hits, including Trevor Larnach’s leadoff homer in the fourth.
“Best [first half] success but I’ve felt better,” Lynn, 34 said. “It’s part of getting older in this game, the days you don’t feel good, how to get by and have success and that’s what it’s all about.”
Lynn collected his team-high ninth quality start, breaking a tie with Lucas Giolito and fellow All-Star starter candidate. Carlos Rodon.
Rookie third baseman Jake Burger, who is 6-for-17 in six games since getting called up from Triple-A, doubled off the wall, singled and made two good defensive plays. Garcia hit a two-run homer in the second against right-hander Michael Pineda (3-5) after Adam Engel hit the first of two doubles in his return from the injured list. Brian Goodwin had two hits including a double, raising his career best on-base streak to 12 games.
The Sox out-hit the Twins 15-6 after getting three hits in a 4-1 victory Tuesday.
“Finding the barrel and finding holes,” said Anderson, who had his 12th career four-hit game and raised his average to .307. “Just having good at-bats.”
