Zebby Matthews finishes stellar August as Twins beat White Sox 5-1

By: Brian Hall, The Associated Press Posted: 3:43 PM CDT Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Zebby Matthews took a perfect game into the sixth inning and pitched a career-high 8 1/3 innings as the Minnesota Twins beat the Chicago White Sox 5-1 on Sunday to avoid being swept by the American League Central leaders.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Josh Bell had a pair of RBI singles and Luke Keaschall homered for the Twins, who had lost four games in a row and sunk to 8 1/2 games behind Chicago and four games behind Cleveland in the Central and for the third wild card spot entering Sunday. The team also placed star center fielder Byron Buxton on the 10-day injured list before the game as he deals with a lingering hip impingement.

Trevor Larnach’s two-run double in the first inning supplied Matthews (9-8) with a 3-0 lead, and the 26-year-old took over from there.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews (52) delivers against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

He faced the minimum until Drew Romo broke up the perfect game and no-hitter with a soft single to right with two outs in the sixth. Matthews was trying for his first career shutout and complete game, but Sam Antonacci and Miguel Vargas singled in the ninth, prompting Twins manager Derek Shelton to go to Jeff Hoffman, who allowed one of the inherited runners to score.

Matthews allowed five hits and didn’t walk anyone, while throwing 103 pitches. He finished the month of August 5-0 in five starts, giving up just 10 earned runs over 31 innings (2.90 ERA). He struck out 24, including five more on Sunday.

Jordan Hicks (2-2) allowed all three runs in the first, surrendering a hit and two walks, while getting just two outs as the White Sox opener. Chicago saw its four-game winning streak snapped and was shut out for the 10th time this season.

Up next

White Sox: Begin a four-game series in Houston on Monday. Chicago LHP Anthony Kay (9-6, 4.09) faces Astros RHP Peter Lambert (8-7, 3.66) in the opener.

Twins: The run of AL Central opponents continues with a three-game series against Detroit starting Monday in Minnesota. RHP Taj Bradley (9-6, 3.97) starts for the Twins, while RHP Jackson Jobe (1-1, 3.93) is scheduled for the Tigers.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb