Twins 5, Rangers 1
Justin Morneau homered for the first time since June 4 and drove in two runs while Joe Mauer added a pair of RBIs as visiting Minnesota handed Texas its fifth straight loss.
Francisco Liriano (3-7) allowed one run on five hits, walked six and struck out six in 6 2/3 innings to win for the first time on the road this season and improve to 4-1 lifetime against the Rangers.
Nelson Cruz had an RBI single for Texas, which leads the majors with 435 runs, but has scored only nine during its losing streak.
Rangers' All-Star outfielder Josh Hamilton left the game in the fifth inning with back spasms.
Martin Perez (1-1) lost in his second major league start. He allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits, and walked three in six innings.
The Twins took a 3-0 lead in the third inning, all with two outs. Mauer delivered an RBI single and, after advancing to second on a wild pitch, scored when Josh Willingham reached on Texas first baseman Mike Napoli’s error. Mourneau’s single drove in Willingham.
Mauer hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning and Mourneau homered for the first time in his last 25 games in the seventh to make it 5-1.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Rangers last lost five in a row from June 11-16, 2011. … The Rangers have dropped four straight against left-handed starters. … Minnesota, which owns the American League’s second-worst record at 36-47, has won six of its last eight games. … Napoli went 0-for-3 and is 13-for-84 against left-handers this season (.155) after hitting .319 against them in 2011. … Texas swept three games at Minnesota in April.