The surprising Chicago White Sox have made a move to stay on top of the AL Central, acquiring left-hander Francisco Liriano from division rival Minnesota Twins on Saturday night.

The Twins will receive infielder Eduardo Escobar and lefty prospect Pedro Hernandez. The White Sox tweeted the news after the Twins beat the Cleveland Indians and Chicago won in Texas.

''He just has to come here and be solid,'' Chicago first baseman Paul Konerko said. ''He doesn't have to throw shutouts. He just has to give us a chance to win. That's all we're looking for.''

An All-Star in 2006, Liriano was expected to be one of the Twins' top starters before undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery later that same year. His career has since been plagued by inconsistency and injury.

He pitched a no-hitter last May 3 against the White Sox but was 9-10 with a 5.09 ERA for 2011.

This year Liriano struggled at the start and was demoted to the bullpen after his ERA rose to 9.45 in early May. He has brought that number down to 5.31 in 11 starts since his return to the rotation but still is 3-10 this season. He has walked 55 and struck out 109 - including a 15 K game on July 13, a 6-3 loss.

In his most recent start, the White Sox tagged Liriano for seven runs in 2 2-3 innings on Monday.

''Hopefully the change of scenery will help,'' White Sox designated hitter Adam Dunn said. ''If he'll buy in to what we're doing over here, he can get back to what we know he's capable of doing.''

The 28-year-old Liriano is 50-52 with a 4.33 ERA in his career.

Liriano, scheduled to be a free agent after this season, adds depth to a rotation headed by All-Star left-hander Chris Sale, right-handers Jake Peavy and Phil Humber and lefty Jose Quintana, who is 4-1 with a 2.58 ERA filling in for injured John Danks.

Danks threw a bullpen session Friday, but there is no target date for his return.