OAKLAND, Calif., May 21 (UPI) -- Kenny Rogers and three relievers allowed one hit over the final five innings Wednesday as the Minnesota Twins rallied for a 4-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics.
Rogers, who got through six innings, surrendered nine hits in the first four innings, but the Athletics did not take full advantage of their opportunities.
After taking a 3-2 lead on Rogers' wild pitch in the fourth, Oakland had just two runners in its final five at bats. The only hit for the Athletics after the fourth was Adam Piatt's two-out single in the ninth.
Barry Zito, who beat Minnesota in Game 3 of last year's Division Series, was in line for the victory, but the Twins rallied for two runs against Ricardo Rincon and Chad Bradford (2-3) in the eighth.
After giving up a leadoff single to Cristian Guzman, Rincon left after getting Corey Koskie to ground out. Bradford came on and surrendered an RBI single to Matt LeCroy.
After pinch-runner Luis Rivas moved up on Torii Hunter's groundout, the Athletics intentionally walked Bobby Kielty. The move backfired as Dustan Mohr slapped a go-ahead single into right field.
LaTroy Hawkins (4-0) tossed a perfect seventh to record the win. J.C. Romero worked the eighth and Eddie Guardado got the final three outs for his 11th save.
The Twins tied it, 2-2, in the fourth on Hunter's two-run homer.
