MLB: Minnesota 4, Toronto 1

TORONTO, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Justin Morneau broke an eighth-inning tie with a home run Wednesday and Carl Pavano outpitched Roy Halladay to bring Minnesota a 4-1 decision over Toronto.

Pavano (12-11) allowed a run on six hits and struck out five in 7 1/3 innings to get the best of the ace of the Toronto staff.

Halladay (14-9) pitched his seventh complete game of the season, striking out nine. He was touched for three runs over the final two innings, however, and lost for the fourth time in his last five decisions.

Minnesota began the night 6 1/2 games behind Detroit in the race for the American League Central title.

With the score deadlocked at 1-1, Halladay retired the first two batters in the eighth. Morneau then hit an 0-1 pitch over the wall in center to give the Twins the lead. Michael Cuddyer added a two-run, two-out double in the ninth.

Joe Nathan came on to retire the Blue Jays in order in the bottom of the inning to pick up his 38th save.