Minneapolis, MN – Mark Teixeira went 2-for-3 with a two-run 4, in the opener of a four-game series.
Nick Swisher added a two-run shot and Andruw Jones hit a mammoth solo blast for New York, which won for the sixth time in eight games to stay atop the AL East standings by a half-game over Boston.
CC Sabathia (17-7) struck out nine in seven innings and survived 10 hits and four runs -- three earned -- to end a two-start skid.
Brian Duensing (8-12) surrendered 10 hits -- three homers -- and six runs over five innings to drop his fourth straight start.
Ben Revere and Tsuyoshi Nishioka each had two hits and knocked in a run for the Twins, who were coming off a series win over AL Central-leading Detroit.
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