Twins’ Luis Arraez tops Aaron Decide as AL batting champion

CHICAGO — Luis Arraez received the AL batting title, hitting a third-inning double after strolling twice to complete the season at .316, and the Minnesota Twins rolled to a 10-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.

Arraez was all however assured of topping the Yankees’ Aaron Decide for the batting crown when the day started. He eliminated any doubt by strolling in his first two plate appearances after which hitting a drive that hardly cleared the glove of proper fielder Gavin Sheets earlier than he was lifted for a pinch-runner.

Decide, who sat out the Yankees’ season finale, batted .311 with an AL document 62 homers and a league-leading 131 RBIs.

Arraez, 25, turned the fifth Twin to win a batting title, becoming a member of becoming a member of Rod Carew (seven), Tony Oliva, Joe Mauer (three apiece) and Kirby Puckett (one).

Arraez obtained a hug on the prime of the dugout steps from Carlos Correa, who deliberate earlier than the sport to present him a Louis Vuitton field in recognition of his achievement.

Arraez batted .361 (13-for-36) throughout a nine-game hitting streak to finish the season.

Gary Sanchez and Jermaine Palacios homered throughout a six-run first inning for Minnesota, which snapped a four-game skid. The Twins completed at 78-84, a six-game enchancment over 2021.

The White Sox (81-81), final yr’s AL Central champions, had their three-game profitable streak snapped and completed 12 video games worse than their 2021 document.

The Related Press contributed to this report.