Escobar’s clutch HR can’t rescue Twins

MINNEAPOLIS — It wasn’t easy, but the White Sox were able to rally late after giving up a go-ahead three-run homer to Eduardo Escobar in the eighth inning. Down to their last out in the ninth, Melky Cabrera connected on a game-tying RBI single to keep them alive. And after getting out of a bases loaded jam in the ninth, the White Sox were lifted by a go-ahead RBI double from Dioner Navarro in the 10th inning to beat the Twins, 6-5, on Saturday at Target Field.

Avisail Garcia sparked the 10th-inning rally for Chicago with a leadoff double off reliever Fernando Abad, who is a trade candidate for Minnesota. Two batters later, Navarro connected on the RBI double to left.

It came after Escobar’s go-ahead three-run homer against his former team with two outs in the eighth. The Twins were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position prior to Escobar’s blast on a first-pitch fastball from Matt Albers. But the lead was brief, as the White Sox were able to tie it in the ninth on a two-out RBI single from Cabrera to hand Brandon Kintzler his first blown save in nine opportunities.

“It’s a disappointing game but it was entertaining,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said. “We stayed with it and it took a big three-run homer from Esco to put us in the lead. Kintzler and Abad, going three days in a row, they got behind some really good hitters. So it’s a tough one when you have a chance to win with three outs to go.”

Chicago was also helped by an impressive homecoming from Justin Morneau, who played in Minnesota from 2003-13, while being named an All-Star four times and winning the 2006 American League MVP. Morneau, who also singled in Friday’s series opener, showed off his old form against Twins lefty Tommy Milone, hitting a two-out RBI double off the right-field wall in the fourth and a solo shot in the sixth. Twins fans gave Morneau an ovation as he rounded the bases.

“Those guys were swinging it tonight. You can’t say enough about the guys that are in there, knowing that Fraz [Todd Frazier] is out and Eat [Adam Eaton], would be nice to give him that whole day,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. “It really wasn’t a whole lot of moves to be made at that point.

“But Justin, it’s a big one with him being here. It’s his first time back here as a player, not being with the Twins. To hit a homer is special for him we know and Melky has been swinging it. He’s been as consistent as anybody for us.”

Cabrera paced the offense for the White Sox, as he also provided a two-run double with two outs in the fifth to back White Sox right-hander Miguel …

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