CHICAGO (AFP) - Torii Hunter and Corey Koskie hit two-run homers in the first inning and Carlos Silva threw seven superb innings as Minnesota clinched their third straight American League Central division title with a 7-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
The Twins, who have won three straight division titles for the first time in club history, have accomplished the feat in manager Ron Gardenhire's first three seasons.
Shannon Stewart led off the game by drawing a walk against Chicago starter Mark Buehrle. Two batters later, Hunter gave Minnesota the lead for good with his 21st home run of the season.
Following a double by Michael Cuddyer, Koskie launched his 24th homer to make it 4-0.
Silva, who has won his last three starts while allowing just three runs, did not let a runner reach second base until the sixth inning.
He gave up a two-run homer to Jose Valentin in the seventh inning to make it 6-2, but left with a lead for the sixth straight start.
"After they scored four runs in the first inning, I said 'I've got to throw strikes' and it's what I tried to do," Silva said.
Silva allowed two runs and seven hits in seven innings.
Cuddyer reached base four times and knocked in a run and Luis Rivas added a solo homer for the Twins, who had won the last seven meetings with Chicago.
The clinch turned the tables on the White Sox, who wrapped up the division at Minnesota in 2000.
"It's exciting on one aspect, but you need to know there's a second part of it and we need to go into the playoffs and do something," Koskie said.