MLB: Minnesota 5, Chi. White Sox 2

CHICAGO, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Jason Kubel hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning Sunday afternoon, as the Minnesota Twins beat the Chicago White Sox, 5-2.

Kubel's 11th homer this season broke a 1-1 tie and put Minnesota ahead for good. Kubel also had an RBI single in the third and was the only Twins’ player with two hits.

Minnesota’s Justin Morneau added an RBI triple in the eighth, as the Twins stopped their six-game losing streak.

Winner Johan Santana (15-11) gave up one earned run and five hits in seven innings, with two walks and 10 strikeouts.

Closer Joe Nathan recorded his 30th save.

Chicago’s Jim Thome smacked a solo homer in the eighth, the 498th in his MLB career. It was Thome's third straight game with a homer.

Alex Cintron drove in the other run and Jermaine Dye had three of the seven hits for the White Sox, who had won two in a row.

The losing pitcher was Jon Garland (9-11).