MLB: Minnesota 9, Boston 8

MINNEAPOLIS, May 12 (UPI) -- Minnesota's Craig Monroe belted two homers and drove in four runs Sunday, powering the Twins to a 9-8 win over the Boston Red Sox.

The Twins, who have won eight of their last 11 games, jumped to a 5-0 lead in the second inning on a three-run blast by Monroe and a two-run homer by Adam Everett.

Monroe ripped a solo shot in the seventh and Justin Morneau had three hits and scored twice for the Twins.

Coco Crisp homered and had three RBI for Boston, which nearly caught up before a ninth-inning rally fell short.

Nick Blackburn (3-2) was the winner, allowing four runs on nine hits in six innings. Joe Nathan gave up a pair of runs in the ninth before earning his 12th save.

Tim Wakefield (3-2) took the loss. Wakefield was battered for seven runs and seven hits in 2 2/3 innings.