HOUSTON (AP) -- Joe Mauer homered to break a scoreless game in the sixth inning and Kyle Gibson gave up one run in 7 2-3 innings to propel the Minnesota Twins to a 3-1 win over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Mauer hit a 2-2 pitch into the right field bullpen off Brett Oberholtzer to make it 1-0. He extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a first inning single.
Gibson scattered six hits, striking out four, and allowing one earned run.
Minnesota extended the lead to 3-0 in the eighth inning when Kennys Vargas hit a two-run single into the left field gap off reliever Josh Fields.
Chris Carter singled in a run for Houston.
Glen Perkins pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his 30th save.