Twins 3, Cardinals 1
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins got seven strong innings from left-hander Tommy Milone in a 3-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night at Target Field.
Milone (3-1) pitched seven innings, giving up one run and five hits, walking none and striking out five for his first victory since April 16. It was Milone's second consecutive outing of seven innings and third in seven starts overall this season.
Twins closer Glen Perkins entered with two outs in the eighth inning and got the final four outs for his league-leading 23rd save in 23 opportunities.
The Cardinals also got a strong pitching performance from right-hander Carlos Martinez (7-3), who gave up two runs (one earned) in 6 2/3 innings. He gave up five hits and walked three while fanning six.
The Cardinals lost a game started by Martinez for just the third time in 13 outings this season.
Twins shortstop Eduardo Nunez went 2-for-2 with a single, a double and two RBIs, including an infield single in the eighth that allowed left fielder Eddie Rosario to score, making it 3-1. Nunez also walked and raised his batting average to .323 this season.
St. Louis scored first in the second, opening the inning with a double and a single. Two batters later, a single up the middle by right fielder Jason Heyward scored one to give the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.
A double steal put two runners in scoring position, but Milone worked out of the jam, getting two strikeouts to end the threat.
The Twins got a leadoff double of their own in the fourth, when third baseman Trevor Plouffe hit the ball into the left field corner. After a single by left fielder Eddie Rosario, Plouffe scored on an error by Cardinals first baseman Mark Reynolds on a pick-off attempt. Rosario moved to third on the error and scored on a sacrifice fly by Nunez.
NOTES: SS Jhonny Peralta was St. Louis' designated hitter with the series shifting to Minnesota. Pete Kozma started at short and batted ninth. ... The Twins released RHP Tim Stauffer after designating him for assignment last week. ... The Twins agreed to terms with LHP Tyler Jay, the No. 6 overall pick in last week's draft. Jay will be assigned to Class A Fort Myers. ... The Cardinals and Twins will play the finale of a two-game series at Target Field on Thursday afternoon. St. Louis' Jaime Garcia (2-3, 2.06 ERA) will face Minnesota's Mike Pelfrey (5-3, 3.18).