No quit in the Twins, who take over first with sweep of ChiSox

MINNEAPOLIS -- When the sweep was finished, when the crowd's deafening roar was fading, as the devastated Chicago White Sox were on the other side attempting to sort out what happened, as the giddy Minnesota Twins -- first-place Twins -- soaked in an exhilarating and stunning 7-6, 10-inning Defibrillator Special ...

Carlos Gomez slides in for the tying run, scoring all the way from first on Denard Span's triple in the eighth. (AP)

When all that was finished, White Sox television broadcaster and Superfan Hawk Harrelson quietly walked into Ron Gardenhire's office, shook the hand of the Twins manager and offered a quiet congratulations.

"See ya in five days," Hawk said, mustering his best The Sox Still Have Life smile. It was faint. The Hawk looked as if he had just seen a ghost. But it was there.

Five days. Hmmm ...

A one-game playoff to decide the AL Central division on Tuesday? Why stop now?

"That was the most intense series I've ever been a part of," a drained Gardenhire said. "I don't know if I've ever been involved in a series that was more intense."

"I'm not a quitter," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "I never will be. I'll show up tomorrow with the same enthusiasm."

Pause.

"I might take a couple of sleeping pills tonight. I will take a glass of vodka."

What a game. What a series.

In a big-game setting, you will never see a more inspiring display of sheer guts and willpower. Somehow -- they were trailing 6-1 -- the Twins seized the AL Central lead by percentage points.

They now are even with the White Sox in the loss column at 87-72. Chicago is 86-72.

The Twins host Kansas City for three games this weekend. The White Sox host Cleveland, and have a makeup game against Detroit from an earlier rainout on Monday if necessary.