(Minneapolis, MN) -- Mark Ellis collected three hits, including a two-run homer as the Oakland Athletics beat Minnesota, 6-2, in the rubber match of a three-game series at Target Field. Bobby Cramer, making his second career start, allowed two runs on five hits and three walks over five-and-two-thirds innings to go to 2-and-0. Michael Cuddyer and Jim Thome both homered for the Twins, whose magic number for the AL-Central was reduced to four because the White Sox lost at home to Detroit Sunday night. Francisco Liriano fell to 14-and-8 after being tagged for five runs on seven hits in five frames. The Twins' left-hander had gone 8-0 with a 2.41 ERA in his previous 11 starts. The Twins took six of nine from Oakland in the season series.
