Danny Valencia and Michael Cuddyer hit home runs and Brian Duensing got his 10th win as the Minnesota Twins beat the Cleveland Indians 9-3 on Monday night.
The victory cut the Twins' magic number for winning the AL Central to three. Chicago, which is in second place, played later at Oakland.
Cuddyer's two-run shot capped the Twins' four-run sixth after the Indians had closed within 4-3 in the top of the inning.
Duensing (10-2) has allowed three runs or fewer in 10 of 11 starts this season. The left-hander entered the rotation midseason in both 2009 and 2010 and is 7-0 in 10 home starts.
Valencia's homer in the fourth inning reached the second deck at Target Field and was the rookie's third in four games.