Nick Blackburn keeps Twins on a roll

CHICAGO — Right-hander Nick Blackburn pitched seven innings and Orlando Cabrera led the offense Monday night as the Minnesota Twins continued their late surge with a 7-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox.

The second-place Twins, who have won five of six, moved to within 2 1/2 games of idle Detroit in the American League Central.

Blackburn (11-11) gave up eight singles with no walks and six strikeouts to earn his first road win since May 31 against Tampa Bay. He is 4-1 this season against Chicago.

Cabrera, who last season helped the White Sox win the division title, had a triple, sacrifice fly and run-scoring single, reached on an error and scored three times.