Garcia wins ChiSox debut

MINNEAPOLIS — Freddy Garcia’s debut with the Chicago White Sox wasn’t great, but it didn’t need to be.

Given plenty of run support from his surging new team, Garcia threw six innings and beat the Minnesota Twins 9-6 on Wednesday night.

Paul Konerko, Jose Valentin and Joe Crede backed him with home runs, and the White Sox moved one game ahead of the Twins in the AL Central.

“What a difference,” said Garcia, acquired Sunday in a trade with Seattle to solidify Chicago’s rotation for the playoff race. “We can hit, and we can come back.”

Garcia (5-7) gave up seven hits and five runs — four earned — while striking out a season-high nine.

The Mariners averaged a major league-worst 2.19 runs in Garcia’s 15 starts. The Sox are highest-scoring team in the majors.