MINNEAPOLIS, June 27 (UPI) -- Glen Perkins retired pinch-hitter Miguel Tejada with the potential tying runs in scoring position Thursday to preserve Minnesota's 3-1 victory over Kansas City.
The Twins ended a two-game skid with Justin Morneau and Oswaldo Arcia producing the RBI that staked Minnesota to a 2-0 lead in the fourth.
Samuel Deduno (4-2) allowed a run on five hits over seven innings to get the win. He struck out three while throwing 87 pitches.
Salvador Perez added a home run for the Twins in the fifth and they went into the ninth protecting a two-run advantage.
Perkins came on to close it out, but he walked Billy Butler to lead off the ninth and then gave up a two-out double to pinch-hitter Lorenzo Cain.
That brought up Tejada, who grounded out to third base on a 3-2 pitch. It was the 20th save of the season for Perkins.
Jeremy Guthrie (7-6) was charged with the loss, surrendering two runs on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.
