Athletics 2, Twins 4
Kevin Slowey pitched seven hitless innings and Jim Thome hit a three-run homer, leading the Minnesota Twins to a 4-2 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Sunday.
Minnesota has won seven of eight and maintained its lead over Chicago in the American League Central. The win capped a three-game sweep.
Slowey (11-5) missed his last start because of a sore shoulder, but
showed no signs of any arm issues against the A's. He walked three and
struck out five, and was pulled after seven innings of no-hit ball after throwing 106 pitches.
Jon Rauch relieved and struck out Chris Carter, but Cliff Pennington broke up the no-no with a one-out double. Coco Crisp doubled in Pennington and Kurt Suzuki added an RBI fielder's choice.
Matt Capps pitched the ninth for his fourth save with the Twins and 27th of the season.
Thome's homer came in the seventh off Jerry Blevins with the Twins clinging to a 1-0 lead.
Vin Mazzaro (6-5) allowed two runs in six innings.
The Twins scored in the third inning, a rally that began with two outs. Orlando Hudson singled and took third on Joe Mauer's single. Kubel's ground-rule double scored Hudson.