MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Justin Morneau hit a two-run double in the eighth inning Tuesday to enable the Minnesota Twins to beat the Oakland Athletics, 7-5.
Michael Cuddyer's ground-rule double to right-center field scored Nick Punto, who singled to lead off and moved to second on a wild pitch by reliever Joe Kennedy. Joe Mauer followed up with a walk and advanced to third on Cuddyer's two-bagger.
Morneau then doubled to left to drive in Mauer and Cuddyer and later scored on a wild pitch from Justin Duchscherer.
Jason Tyner finished 3-for-4 with two RBI for the wild card-leading Twins, who have won five straight and remained 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Detroit Tigers in the American League Central.
Dennys Reyes (5-0) picked up the win in one inning of relief, striking out two. Joe Nathan earned his 32nd save.
