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Thome paces Twins past Red Sox

Aug 11, 2011 - 4:09 AM Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Jim Thome's go-ahead RBI double set the stage for a three-run eighth inning as Minnesota got past Boston, 5-2, in the finale of a three-game set from Target Field.

Thome wound up knocking in a total of two runs, while Danny Valencia and Tsuyoshi Nishioka also drove in a run each during the deciding frame for the Twins, who snapped a six-game losing skid as well as a five-game slide at home.

Glen Perkins (4-2) picked up the win in 1 1/3 innings of relief. Joe Nathan turned in a scoreless ninth to earn his ninth save of the season, and his 255th career save moved him ahead of Rick Aguilera into first place in Minnesota history.

"It's an accomplishment to hold off this line-up now," said Twins starter Blackburn, who allowed six hits and one unearned run over 6 2/3 innings. "We've been playing a lot of good ball, and for me to control things the way I did tonight is a really good sign."

David Ortiz homered and Marco Scutaro added an RBI hit for the Red Sox, whose four-game win streak came to a halt.

Jon Lester (11-6) was charged in defeat for eight hits and four runs with five walks over 7 1/3 frames.

Lester issued a leadoff walk to Joe Mauer to start the eighth, then Michael Cuddyer grounded out. Thome followed by ripping a ball to left which plated Mauer with the lead run.

"In the the first inning, I just didn't get into a good rhythm, but from the second inning on, I felt like I threw the ball good. It was one of those grinders out there tonight and I came out on the wrong end," Lester admitted.

Alfredo Aceves entered but promptly served up an RBI double from Valencia, which scored Thome's pinch-runner Jason Repko. An intentional walk and single loaded the bases and Nishioka's base hit brought in another run to make it 5-2.

Andrew Miller walked Denard Span but prevented further damage by fanning Ben Revere swinging.

Nathan retired the side in order to lock down the victory.

Minnesota scratched out a run in the bottom of the first, as Mauer walked with two outs, moved to third on a Cuddyer single and scored on Thome's base hit.

The Twins went up 2-0 in the sixth after Revere walked with one out and Mauer doubled him home.

Boston finally countered in the seventh against Blackburn as Scutaro drove in Mike Aviles courtesy of a two-out single, then Ortiz launched a pitch into the center field bullpen with one down in the eighth to tie the score.

Game Notes

Thome remains stuck on 598 career home runs...Boston took five of seven from Minnesota in the season series and has topped the Twins in 16 of the last 25 meetings since 2008...Ortiz, who played for the Twins through the 2002 season, is now hitting .333 (54 for 162) with 12 homers against his former club, and upped his mark to 9-for-19 (.474) at Target Field...Twins manager Ron Gardenhire announced prior to the game that first baseman Justin Morneau will be activated from the disabled list on Friday when the team arrives in Cleveland. Morneau has been out since June 9 after having neck surgery.