MINNEAPOLIS — White Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi giveth, and then he taketh away.
In the first inning of the Sox’ 12-3 victory Tuesday against the Twins, Benintendi — a former Gold Glove winner — misplayed a fly that went over his head, then made a poor throw after picking up the ball to allow the Twins’ Byron Buxton to reach third for a leadoff triple.
Later in the inning, he slipped as he ran in to catch a fly ball but completed the grab.
‘‘I was charging hard because I guess it was hit a little harder than I thought,’’ Benintendi said. ‘‘I tried to slow down, and my foot slipped out there. It was a little wet out there. Glad my knee didn’t blow up. I was just glad to be able to make the catch. It would have been pretty embarrassing if you drop that one.’’
But Benintendi atoned for his mistakes. In the second, he slugged a solo home run to tie the score. He then drove in the go-ahead run with a single in the sixth before hitting a three-run homer in the eighth to clinch the Sox’ third consecutive victory.
All told, Benintendi finished 4-for-5 with two homers — his second multihomer game of the season — and five RBI.
For once, it was the Sox who took advantage of an opponent’s poor fielding and baserunning lapses. Granted, they were playing a poor Twins team, but the Sox (51-88) have to convert such opportunities if they want to finish the season strong.
September is about proving that the positive changes throughout the organization — a greater focus on analytics and investing in player development — are working and enhancing the team.
After the Twins loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth, Sox starter Davis Martin was able to work out of the jam by allowing only one run. Martin yielded three runs and six hits, struck out four and walked three in six innings.
The Sox are still mired in a rebuild that hasn’t shown many signs this season of ending soon. But with a strong finish, they perhaps can give their fans some hope that progress is happening.
Meidroth out of lineup
Infielder Chase Meidroth didn’t play after rolling his right ankle Monday, though manager Will Venable said he wanted to and was available off the bench, if necessary.
Meidroth injured the ankle while he was on first base in the sixth inning and looked back at home plate to see whether shortstop Colson Montgomery had scored. He left the game in the eighth, when Venable removed him for a pinch runner.
Venable said Meidroth might rejoin the lineup Wednesday. He is batting .253/.332/.325.
Roster moves
Before the game, the Sox recalled left-hander Bryan Hudson from Triple-A Charlotte and optioned left-hander Cam Booser to Charlotte. Booser was 2-4 with a 4.62 ERA in 35 appearances.
Hudson, who allowed one hit and struck out two in a scoreless seventh against the Twins, had a 2.70 ERA with six strikeouts in five relief appearances at Charlotte since the Sox claimed him off waivers from the Brewers last month. They made the move to give themselves a fresh arm after their bullpen game Monday.