CHICAGO – White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko pledged he would resist the urge to peek at the scoreboard.

But as the clock struck 9:40 p.m. Friday at U.S. Cellular Field, the Sox’s season had new life – even if they all didn’t realize it at that moment – and Konerko broke his promise once he heard the roar from the 25,264 fans. A quick glance at the scoreboard in between outs during the eighth inning revealed exactly what Konerko and the Sox hoped: Twins 4, Tigers 2.

Coupled with the Sox’s 3-1 win against the Tampa Bay Rays, they moved within a game of Detroit with five games left.