Matt Tolbert hit a tiebreaking two-out single in the ninth inning to drive in pinch-runner J.J. Hardy and the Minnesota Twins made it hold up in a 4-3 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Saturday night.
Pinch-hitter Justin Morneau started the inning with an intentional walk and was replaced by Hardy, who was a late scratch from Minnesota's starting lineup because of a sore left wrist. After A's reliever Brad Ziegler (2-3) walked Nick Punto, Denard Span hit into a fielder's choice to move Hardy to third, Tolbert lined a 1-0 pitch into left-center to drive in the eventual winning run.
Tolbert's hit was only his second in 14 at-bats since being recalled from Triple-A Rochester on June 1. The infielder had not driven in a run since returning to the majors but delivered the winner against the A's to help Minnesota even its record to 3-3 on its current trip.
Adam Rosales had two hits for Oakland, including a two-run triple in the eighth.
Alex Burnett (1-1) retired one batter for the win, while Jon Rauch pitched a scoreless ninth for his 15th save in 17 chances.
The Twins nearly wasted a solid outing from starter Francisco Liriano. The Twins' left-hander scattered five hits, matched his season high of 10 strikeouts and allowed only two runners past second base before leaving with a 3-1 lead after seven innings.
That was welcomed news for Minnesota, which had seen the lanky pitcher struggle for most of May after being honored as the AL Pitcher of the Month in April.
The Twins' bullpen nearly let it slip away.
Reliever Jesse Crain gave up singles to Mark Ellis and Kurt Suzuki in the eighth before Rosales lined a two-out triple to left-center to tie it at 3. Burnett replaced Crain and retired pinch-hitter Daric Barton on a fly out to escape the jam.
Oakland starter Trevor Cahill matched Liriano early but struggled with his control in the sixth when five of the first six Minnesota batters reached base. Cahill, who had not allowed more than one run while winning his previous three starts, walked four and struck out six.
Cahill gave up a run in the second on Delmon Young's sacrifice fly then settled into a groove until Joe Mauer's one-out ground-rule double in the sixth. After Jim Thome and Jason Kubel walked, Young slapped the first pitch he saw from Cahill into right field to score Mauer and Thome.
Oakland took a 1-0 lead in the first when Rajai Davis scored on a double-play groundout.
NOTES: Hardy's wrist is the same one that forced him to miss 13 games earlier this season. Punto was moved to shortstop to replace Hardy in the starting while Tolbert was inserted at second base. ... Oakland 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff was held without a homer for the first time in four games. ... Morneau had been slated to take the day off, his first since April 29th, before pinch-hitting in place of Brendan Harris with one out in the ninth. Morneau was intentionally walked. ... Liriano is winless (0-3) in five career starts at the Oakland Coliseum.
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