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Twins power past Rangers

Jul 28, 2011 - 5:21 AM Arlington, TX (Sports Network) - Joe Mauer and Michael Cuddyer smacked home runs and finished with a pair of RBI to pace the Minnesota Twins to a 7-2 victory over the Texas Rangers in the third installment of a four-game set.

Jason Kubel ripped a three run double while Alexi Casilla added a pair of doubles. Danny Valencia also had two hits for the Twins, who have now won back-to-back games in this series after taking it on the chin by a 20-6 score on Monday.

Brian Duensing (8-8) gave up one run on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings, while fanning six and walking one. Matt Capps, Glen Perkins and Anthony Swarzak combined to finish off the AL West leaders.

"It makes it a lot easier when we put up runs like that," Duensing said. "We got some big hits when we needed it."

Elvis Andrus collected a pair of hits while Michael Young and Yorvit Torrealba picked up an RBI apiece for the Rangers. The reigning American League champions have lost three of their last four contests.

They also saw their lead whittled to two games over the Angels in the division. Earlier on Wednesday, Ervin Santana threw a no-hitter in Los Angeles' win at Cleveland.

Colby Lewis (10-8) gave up four runs on eight hits while striking out five and walking two.

"We just didn't get it done tonight," Rangers manager Ron Washington said.

Minnesota wasted no time grabbing the lead and staying in front, plating a run in its first at-bat. With two down in the inning, Mauer turned on a fastball from Lewis and drove it just over the wall in right field for his first home run of the season.

The Twins added another run in the fourth inning when Cuddyer led off the inning by clubbing his 15th home run of the season over the wall in left- center.

The Rangers made it a one-run game in the bottom of the fourth. Andrus led off the inning by doubling to right and moved to third on a Josh Hamilton groundout. Andrus then crossed the plate on a groundout by Young.

Minnesota extended its lead to 4-1 in the fifth. Casilla smacked a two-out double to right and scored on the ensuing single by Mauer. Cuddyer then followed with a single to plate Mauer.

Texas threatened in the bottom of the fifth, putting runners on second and third with two outs for Ian Kinsler. Duensing avoided trouble by striking out Kinsler to end the inning.

The Rangers threatened again in the seventh. This time they placed runners on first and second with two outs on walk to Torrealba and a single by Endy Chavez. Capps was summoned from the bullpen and recorded the final out of the inning by inducing a groundout from Kinsler.

Minnesota put three insurance runs on the board in the ninth on Kubel's bases- clearing double.

Torrealba singled in Mike Napoli with two outs in the ninth.

Game Notes

Lewis has given up 26 home runs this season, the most in the American League...The Rangers are 17-13 against American League Central division opponents, while the Twins are 11-9 against AL West teams...Minnesota is 41-18 this season when scoring first...Casilla was removed in the ninth inning after pulling up lame heading into second base.