Twins Beat Red Sox 5-2 To End Skid

The Twins defeated the Boston Red Sox 5-2 Wednesday night to end their 6-game losing streak.  Jim Thome went 2-4 with 2 RBIs including a RBI double in the Twins' 3-run 8th inning.  Minnesota broke the 2-all tie with 3 runs in the 8th.  Glen Perkins allowed a solo homerun to David Ortiz in the 8th inning but got the win in relief and Joe Nathan threw a scoreless 9th inning for his 9th save this season.

Nathan becomes the all-time saves leader for the Twins breaking a tie with Rick Aguilera.  Nick Blackburn started the game and threw 6 2/3 innings with 6 hits and 1 run allowed but didn't figure in the final decision.

Minnesota is 52-65 and is 9 1/2 games back of Detroit for first place in the American League Central.  The Twins are off today and will begin a 3-game series at Cleveland at 6:05 Friday night, pregame on WJON at 5:35.  Righthander Carl Pavano (6-9) gets the start on the mound for the Twins and righthander Justin Masterson (9-7) toes the rubber for the Indians.