As animated as he’s ever been, the normally reserved Mauer spoke excitedly about capping an historic season.

“I said it wasn’t bothering me, but I was lying to you guys most of the time,” Mauer said. “It was a lot of pressure.”

But the Twins had bigger goals than Mauer’s batting title in mind Sunday.

Carrying a 5-1 lead into the eighth, and with Kansas City and Detroit tied in the 10th, the Metrodome speakers blared Bon Jovi’s “Living On A Prayer,” hoping for one more comeback in a season full of them.

Though he said he was determined to finish the season strong and not make it easy for the Twins, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen sat Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko and Joe Crede, no doubt helping Carlos Silva (11-15) cruise through 5 1-3 innings.

Silva has had a lackluster season, but sealed up the fourth spot in the playoff rotation behind Santana, rookie Boof Bonser and veteran Brad Radke, provided Radke’s problematic shoulder holds up.

Silva allowed one run and five hits. He left to a standing ovation with a 5-1 lead in the sixth, and all eyes turned to the scoreboard and chants of “Let’s Go Royals!” filled the stands.

He got plenty of help from his offense in this one.

After giving up an RBI single to Ross Gload in the first, the Twins backed Silva up with a three-run fourth highlighted by Hunter’s 31st homer of the year, a two-run shot, that barely reached the seats in left for a 3-1 lead.

Javier Vazquez (11-12) gave up four runs and eight hits in 4 2-3 innings for the White Sox, who are going home early after winning the World Series for the first time in 88 years last season.

Notes: Radke, who has said he will retire after the season, was honored before the game and received a thunderous standing ovation from the home fans. The Twins surprised him with a jet ski, and Gardenhire urged Radke to reconsider. ... Twins 2B Luis Castillo had two hits in his return after missing four games with a sore knee.

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