MLB: Minnesota 12, Oakland 2

OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Joe Mauer drove in four runs Friday, two of them during a six-run second, sending the Minnesota Twins sailing past Oakland 12-2.

The Twins moved within a half game of division-leading Chicago in the American League Central after the White Sox were shut out by Boston earlier in the evening.

Mauer's single in the second delivered the fourth and fifth runs of the inning. He added a run-scoring single in the seventh and doubled home another run in the ninth.

Minnesota pounded out 20 hits against three Oakland pitchers.

Kevin Slowey (11-8) struck out 10 and allowed two runs on six hits over six innings to get the win.

Dan Meyer (0-3) left after retiring just five batters. Only two runs were charged to Meyer, after which Kirk Saarloos surrendered 12 hits and five runs in a five-inning relief stint.