Scott Baker limited Baltimore to four hits in seven innings Monday and Joe Nathan escaped a ninth-inning jam, giving Minnesota a 2-1 win over the Orioles. The Twins won for the sixth time in seven games, having started the evening's action 4 ½ games behind division leading Detroit in the American League Central. Baker (12-7) struck out five and walked just one to remain unbeaten in nine starts since the All-Star break.

Orlando Cabrera tripled home Alexi Casilla from first with two out in the 10th inning Friday, giving Minnesota a 5-4 victory over Kansas City. The Twins survived both a blown save by Joe Nathan in the ninth and a scare in the bottom of the 10th to hand the Royals their second straight loss. Casilla singled on an 0-2 pitch with one away in the 10th and, after Denard Span flew out, Cabrera tripled to right off Joakim Soria (3-1). Nathan (2-1) gave up a two-out, score-tying home run to pinch-hitter Brayan Pena in the ninth.

Miguel Cabrera and Marcus Thames homered Sunday, boosting Detroit to an 8-7 win over Minnesota. Thames hit a solo homer, his 12th, in the fourth and Cabrera added a two-run shot in the fifth. Placido Polanco had three hits and one RBI. Gerald Laird and Ramon Santiago also drove in runs.

Alexi Casilla singled in the deciding run in the sixth Wednesday, allowing Minnesota to finish off a series sweep with a 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox. The Twins moved a game in front of Chicago for second place in the American League Central, two games behind division-leading Detroit.

Ian Kinsler's two-run home run off R.A.