White Sox take last play-off spot

Thome's homer broke the deadlock and proved to be the winning run

The Chicago White Sox captured the American League Central Division title with a tense 1-0 win over Minnesota in their sudden-death play-off game.

Jim Thome's solo home run in the seventh inning off Twins starter Nick Blackburn was the game's only run.

But it was enough to send the Sox into into the AL Divisional Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, starting Thursday.

Tuesday's game in Chicago was only the eighth one-game play-off ever in Major League Baseball.

The teams completed the regular season with identical 88-74 records, resulting in the one-game showdown for the division title.

MAJOR LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS AMERICAN LEAGUE Tampa Bay v ChiSox (2 Oct) LA Angels v Boston (1 Oct) NATIONAL LEAGUE Philadelphia v Milwaukee (1 Oct) ChiCubs v LA Dodgers (1 Oct) Date = 1st game; series best of five

The White Sox will now be chasing their first World Series crown since 2005.

"We bounce back every time we are against the wall," said Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen. "It was a real battle right to the last out.

Thome, 38, like fellow White Sox veteran Ken Griffey Jr, is still chasing his first World Series title in a career which began with Cleveland in 1991.

"We're so happy our fans were able to take part in this with us," he said. "They've been great all season and now we have some play-off games coming as well."

The White Sox will join Chicago rivals the Cubs in the play-offs for the first time since 1906.