By: Kelly Thesier/MLB.com

CHICAGO — After spending a week on vacation, I’ve rejoined the Twins in Chicago and what a time to get back on the beat.

With 50 games left in the season, the Twins and White Sox are tied atop the American League Central division and they’re set to begin a stretch of six games against each other in 10 days. In addition to those games, the two clubs will face each other only one more time — a three-game set in Chicago on Sept. 14-16.

So there is a lot on the line when these two teams face each other starting tonight.

As for news, manager Ron Gardenhire said that Justin Morneau did not travel to Chicago to join the team for batting practice as he decided to stay away from everything here and work out back at Target Field. He also reiterated that there was no setback. Morneau was scheduled to work out in the Twin Cities again today, although Gardenhire didn’t have an update since the workout wasn’t taking place until the afternoon.

Glen Perkins has joined the team in Chicago and will start Wednesday’s contest against the White Sox. A roster move will be made after the game, although it looks like infielder Trevor Plouffe will be headed back to Triple-A Rochester since Gardenhire said Alexi Casilla (ankle) was available for tonight’s contest.

Jim Thome’s family held a surprise 40th birthday party for him in Chicago on Monday night. Thome’s birthday isn’t until Aug. 27 but it was a chance for his current teammates along with other friends from the Chicago area to celebrate the big day.

And in a story that’s already on the website, the Twins have signed a two-year extension with ESPN 1500 to be their
metro-area radio affiliate. So the partnership will continue through at least the 2012 season.

Twins

(63-49)

Denard Span, CF

Orlando Hudson, 2B
Joe Mauer, C
Delmon Young, LF
Jason Kubel, RF
Michael Cuddyer, 1B
Jim Thome, DH
Danny Valencia, 3B

J.J. Hardy, SS

Pitching: RHP Scott Baker

(9-9, 4.70 ERA)

White Sox (63-49)

Juan Pierre, LF
Omar Vizquel, 3B
Alex Rios, CF
Paul Konerko, 1B
Mark Kotsay, DH
Alexei Ramirez, SS
Carlos Quentin, RF
Ramon Castro, C
Brent Lillibridge, 2B
Pitching: RHP Freddy Garcia (10-4, 4.54 ERA
 

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