"Well, I'm sure Sox fans still hate the Twins," manager Ozzie Guillen said.

But showing pure class after the 1-0 loss to the Sox in Tuesday's play-in game, Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire came down to the Sox clubhouse and waited outside for at least five minutes for Guillen -- his friend -- to come out so he could congratulate him.

Not that this practice was new, considering Guillen did the same in 2004 when the Twins won it.

Gardenhire kissed Guillen on the cheek as they hugged, and Guillen whispered to him, "If it would have happened a different way, you know I was coming down there ... you're my friend."

Even former Twins catcher -- present-day antagonist -- A.J. Pierzynski had nothing but kind words for the Twins after the game.

Asked if beating the Twins made it even sweeter, Pierzynski said, "Everyone knows how much respect I have for that team, how much respect I have for that organization. They're not going anywhere. But next year is next year. This year is ours."

As for the feud that was being hyped between Guillen and Twins pitcher Nick Blackburn, while Guillen wouldn't tip his hat for the outing Blackburn had last week, he said the right-hander earned his respect on Tuesday.

"To make this clear," Guillen said, "I tip my hat to Mr. Blackburn. (Tuesday) he should be proud of what he did. (The Twins) should be proud of what they did."

WHITE SOX 1, TWINS 0: Fitting that the Sox live and die with the home run, and Jim Thome provided the latest life preserver. With the game scoreless in the seventh, Thome connected on the solo shot to deep center field, giving him 541 in his career. That was all John Danks needed as the left-hander came up with the performance of his life. After watching Gavin Floyd deliver on Monday, Danks trumped that Floyd outing, throwing eight scoreless innings and allowing just two hits. Bobby Jenks then closed it out, picking up save No. 30 on the year. But the play of the game came in the fifth with Michael Cuddyer trying to score from third on the sacrifice fly. Ken Griffey Jr. threw the strike from center, and A.J. Pierzynski held on during the collision at the plate. Possibly the play of the year for the Sox.