MLB: Toronto 9, Minnesota 0

TORONTO, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Jesse Litsch allowed four hits and went the distance for the second time in his career Thursday, leading the Toronto Blue Jays to a 9-0 mauling of Minnesota.

The Blue Jays swept the three-game series, won their fifth straight and knocked the Twins 1 ½ games back of the Chicago White Sox in the battle for the AL Central title.

Toronto has won its last nine meetings with the Twins, who completed a season-long, 14-game road trip -- their longest in 39 years. Minnesota went 5-9 on the road swing.

Travis Snider and Vernon Wells hit solo homers to help Toronto build a 4-0 lead through seven innings and the Blue Jays erupted for five runs in the eighth. Joe Inglett had a two-run double in the big inning and Alex Rios contributed a two-run single.

Snider's homer in the fifth was the first of his major league career.

Litsch (10-8) struck out three and walked two.

The loss went to Kevin Slowey (11-9), who gave up 10 hits and three runs over 5 2/3.