MLB: Minnesota 4, Tampa Bay 1

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Minnesota's Francisco Liriano held Tampa Bay to a run and five hits over seven innings Sunday and the Twins beat the Tampa Bay 4-1.

Liriano (6-3) struck out seven batters in just the second win for Minnesota in its past eight games.

The Twins remained 2 1/2 games behind the American League Central-leading Chicago White Sox, who topped Kansas City 3-0.

Mike Redmond, Carlos Gomez and Adam Everett drove in runs, and Joe Mauer doubled, tripled and scored a run for Minnesota.

Carlos Pena had an RBI for Tampa Bay, which has already clinched a spot in the post-season playoffs. The Rays' magic number for winning the American League East title remained at seven after second-place Boston shut out Toronto 3-0.

Andy Sonnanstine (13-8) took the loss. He gave up four runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings.