Minneapolis ? After dominating the Chicago White Sox last year, Minnesota had to wait nearly three months this season before playing them for the first time Monday night.

The wait was worth it for the Twins and their fans.

Minnesota's Jacque Jones, center, celebrates with teammates Cristian Guzman (15) and A.J. Pierzynski, left, at the end of the Twins' 5-4 victory over Chicago White Sox. Jones accounted for the game-winning RBI in the eighth inning Monday in Minneapolis.

Jacque Jones drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth after Torii Hunter tied it with a two-run homer an inning earlier, giving Minnesota a 5-4 victory.

“It’s fun to play on a team where nobody quits,” said starter Matt Kinney, who left after six innings with a 4-2 deficit but watched Jones give the Twins the lead with a line drive to deep center against Bobby Howry (0-1).

Luis Rivas walked with two outs, took second on a wild pitch and scored the hit by Jones, who was thrown out to end the inning trying to stretch his hit to a triple.

The White Sox arrived two games under .500 and six games behind the Twins, so this four-game series is critical for Chicago, which has now lost four in a row and 19 of 27.

“At this point in the season, we’re running out of time,” Howry said. “We know our guys can hit, we’ve got the pitching. … But we need to put it together fast.”

Manager Jerry Manuel wasn’t as worried.

“There are a lot of games left,” he said.

Magglio Ordonez hit a two-run homer and Jose Valentin also homered for the White Sox, who are now seven games back in the AL Central.

Rangers 8-3, Angels 5-2

Arlington, Texas Dave Burba allowed one run in 62/3 innings and Alex Rodriguez hit his 22nd homer as Texas completed a doubleheader sweep and won its season-high seventh straight game.

In the opener, rookie right-hander Joaquin Benoit pitched five innings to lead Texas to an 8-5 win before being sent back to the minors for the third time this season.

Burba (4-4) had lost his previous four decisions and hadn’t won since May 11 amid speculation he was in danger of being dropped from the rotation.

Burba gave up eight hits, but didn’t allow a run until Bengie Molina’s RBI double in the seventh. Jay Powell came on and struck out pinch-hitter Scott Spiezio to preserve the 3-1 lead.

Athletics 13, Mariners 2

Seattle Eric Chavez and Greg Myers homered and streaking Oakland pounded Seattle ace Freddy Garcia for 10 runs as the Athletics won their eighth straight game. Miguel Tejada hit a three-run double and John Mabry had a two-run double as the A’s scored seven runs in the third inning. Oakland won for the 16th time in 17 games.