Twins Beat Oakland Again, Move into First Place

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kennys Vargas tied his career high for Minnesota with five RBIs, including a three-run homer Wednesday night off erratic Oakland starter Kendall Graveman that propelled the Twins to a 7-4 victory over the Athletics.

Hector Santiago (3-1) finished six innings for the fourth time in six turns for the Twins, who have won seven of their last 10 games.

Graveman (2-2) walked four batters, and three of them scored. He was pulled with one out in the fourth inning, by far his worst of five starts this season.

Yonder Alonso hit a two-run homer for the A's, but they fell to 1-8 with only 21 runs in their last nine games. One of those came in the ninth against Twins closer Brandon Kintzler, who loaded the bases with none out but ended it by getting former teammate Trevor Plouffe to hit into a double-play grounder.

The Twins go for the sweep Thursday with a nooner at Target Field. Pregame coverage begins at 11:30 on Newstalk 1340 KROC AM.