(Sports Network) - First place in the American League Central division will be at stake when the surging Minnesota Twins continue their key four-game series with the visiting Chicago White Sox tonight at the Metrodome.

Chicago entered this pivotal divisional clash owning a 2 1/2-game lead on the second-place Twins in the Central standings, but Minnesota has trimmed that advantage to a mere half-game with wins in the first two tests of this set. Kevin Slowey fired a six-hit shutout in Minnesota's 7-0 victory on Monday, and the club rallied from an early four-run deficit to post a 6-5 decision over the White Sox last night.

The Twins trailed 4-0 after 4 1/2 innings before putting up a five-spot in the bottom of the fifth to forge ahead. Justin Morneau capped the uprising with a go-ahead three-run double, while Carlos Gomez and Joe Mauer both had RBI singles during the inning.

Gomez, who was making his first start since injuring his back in a collision with the outfield wall on Friday, finished 3-for-3 with two runs scored.

Glen Perkins (8-3) picked up the victory after allowing four runs over six innings, with four Minnesota relievers teaming up to protect the lead the rest of the way. Joe Nathan served up a solo homer to Nick Swisher in the ninth, but the Twins closer held on to record his 29th save.

Brian Anderson also homered for Chicago and Josh Fields delivered a two-run double in the loss, the third in a row for the Sox.

Chicago rookie Clayton Richard was reached for five runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings to take the loss in his second major league start.

Tuesday's triumph was the Twins' 17th in their last 20 games at the Metrodome, and the team is a tremendous 36-19 as the host this season.

In contrast, Chicago is just 24-30 on the road for the year, compared to a 35-16 mark at U.S. Cellular Field.

The home team has also excelled so far during this year's season series between these clubs. Chicago has won seven of nine matchups with the Twins in the Windy City, but Minnesota is 4-0 against the Sox at the Metrodome so far in 2008.

The Metrodome has also been kind to Livan Hernandez this season, as the veteran pitcher is 8-1 with a 3.91 earned run average in his 12 home starts. The Twins are 10-2 this year when Hernandez pitches at home.

The Cuban defector's most recent outing came on the road, with Hernandez getting saddled with a loss at Cleveland this past Friday despite a complete- game effort. He surrendered five runs and 12 hits over eight innings.

Hernandez also went the distance in a 9-1 win over the White Sox at the Metrodome on May 7, but he was shelled for seven runs in four innings during an 11-2 defeat to Chicago at U.S. Cellular Field on June 7. Those two starts are the 33-year-old's only career meetings with the Sox.

Gavin Floyd will not only be trying to end Chicago's losing streak tonight, but also a personal stretch of three straight winless starts. The young right- hander is 0-2 with a 6.14 ERA during that dry spell.

Floyd was last in action Friday in Detroit, where he got a no-decision in a 6-5 Chicago victory over the Tigers. He gave up four runs (3 earned) and nine hits through six innings.

The former first-round pick will be facing the Twins for the fourth time this season and is 2-1 with a 2.11 ERA against Minnesota this year. That one loss came at the Metrodome on April 29, with Floyd allowing three runs over six innings.

Floyd is 2-3 with a 4.13 ERA in five lifetime matchups with the Twins.

07/30 11:27:37 ET