DETROIT, July 11 (UPI) -- Joe Nathan finished off a perfect effort by the Minnesota relief corps Friday, allowing the Twins to hang on for a 3-2 decision over Detroit.
Minnesota won its second straight one-run game against the Tigers.
Glen Perkins (6-2) lasted 6 2/3 innings to get the victory, giving up two runs on six hits.
Jesse Crain came on with two on and two out in the seventh and got Carlos Guillen to fly out to center to end the inning. Matt Guerrier then struck out two of the three batters he faced in the eighth and Nathan threw only nine pitches in the ninth to pick up his 26th save.
Nick Punto doubled in the tying run in the fourth and his sacrifice fly in the sixth gave the Twins a 2-1 lead. Delmon Young drove in Minnesota's third run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh.
Armando Galarraga (7-3) was the hard-luck loser, surrendering two runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings.
