A Dramatic Win for Twins in 12th

Jason Kubel’s grand slam in the 12th inning off Julian Tavarez gave the Minnesota Twins a 5-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night at Minneapolis.

Kubel’s homer put a thrilling end to a game in which Curt Schilling and Johan Santana dueled to a standstill for eight innings. Each gave up only one solo homer and completely befuddled opposing batters.

“In the second or third inning I said, ‘We might have to win this game, 1-0,’ � Red Sox Manager Terry Francona said.

Not quite.

Tavarez (1-2) hit Michael Cuddyer with one out in the 12th, Justin Morneau hit a ground-rule double to right-center and Torii Hunter was intentionally walked to the load the bases.

Kubel followed with a shot that just got over the wall in right field and sent the crowd into a frenzy. Kubel was mobbed at home plate by his teammates, including Santana, who struck out a season-high 13.

“We have high hopes for this young man,� Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire said of Kubel. “He’s been putting a lot of good swings on the ball.�

Dennys Reyes (1-0) got one out for the victory after Jesse Crain gave up a run-scoring groundout to Alex Gonzalez in the top of the 12th that gave the Red Sox a 2-1 lead.

But Tavarez couldn’t hold it, spoiling an impressive outing from Schilling.

Schilling gave up six hits, one run and struck out five in eight innings.

Oakland 2, Seattle 0 -- Joe Blanton (6-6) pitched into the ninth and Jay Payton homered to help the host Athletics win their fifth in a row, matching their best winning streak of the season. They have won eight of nine and 10 of 12, including a three-game weekend sweep of New York at Yankee Stadium.

Chicago 5, Texas 2 -- Paul Konerko broke a tie with a three-run homer in the sixth and Jon Garland (5-3) pitched 5 1/3 innings at Arlington, Texas, to help the White Sox win for the sixth time in eight games.

New York 1, Cleveland 0 -- Chien-Ming Wang (7-2) shut down the Indians, Robinson Cano homered off hard-luck loser Paul Byrd (5-5) and the Yankees stopped their four-game slide by winning at New York.

Detroit 7, Tampa Bay 1 -- Kenny Rogers (9-3) earned the 199th victory of his career, leading the host Tigers to their fourth win in a row. Rogers gave up a run, four hits and a walk and struck out nine, one short of his career high, in eight innings. He’s 199-134 in 18 major league seasons.

Toronto 7, Baltimore 1 -- Roy Halladay (8-1) threw a six-hitter to win his seventh consecutive decision and help the Blue Jays end a three-game losing streak at Toronto. Baltimore starter Adam Loewen (0-1) was the loser in his first start in the majors in his native Canada. He’s from British Columbia.