MLB: Minnesota 5, Pittsburgh 1

MINNEAPOLIS, June 18 (UPI) -- Nick Blackburn's complete-game six-hitter Thursday led the Minnesota Twins to a 5-1 inter-league victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In his first complete-game this season, Blackburn (6-2) faced only 32 batters and threw just 107 pitches (70 strikes).

One of two hits for Michael Cuddyer was a sixth-inning solo homer.

Brian Buscher hit a two-run eighth-inning shot.

Justin Morneau had one RBI and a run scored on Morneau's third-inning double play ground out.

Brendan Harris had three of the 10 hits and Nick Punto added two for the Twins, who won twice during the three-game series and have not lost a series at the MetroDome since May 1-3 against Kansas City.

Pittsburgh scored on a ninth-inning single by Adam LaRoche.

Brandon Moss had two of the six hits for the Pirates, who sank to 6-33 in inter-league games since 2004.

Losing pitcher Zach Duke (7-5) surrendered three earned runs and seven hits in six innings.