Twins 2, Pirates 1: Josh Willingham snapped a 1-1 tie with a solo homer in the eighth inning as Minnesota won for just the second time in seven games.

Willingham’s 14th homer of the season came off reliever Jason Grilli (1-2) in the Twins' next at-bat after Pittsburgh tied the game. With out in the eighth, Willingham deposited a 0-1 pitch from Grilli over the wall in left field, ending Pittsburgh’s three-game winning streak.

Jared Burton (1-0) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief for Minnesota, getting the victory. Willingham finished with two hits, two runs scored and an RBI.

Pittsburgh loaded the bases in the seventh off Minnesota starter Francisco Liriano on a hit batsman, a single and a walk with one out. The Pirates looked like they might break the game open on pinch-hitter Rod Barajas’ drive to left-center, but Denard Span made a great diving catch in the gap to save at least two runs.

Pedro Alvarez scored on the play to tie the game at 1-1, and Liriano was lifted. After Burton induced an inning-ending groundout, Willingham vaulted the Twins back on top one inning later.

Minnesota started quickly against Pittsburgh starter Erik Bedard in the top of the first. With two outs, Willingham doubled. After Justin Morneau walked, Trevor Plouffe singled to center to score Willingham and give the Twins a 1-0 lead.

Bedard settled down, striking out seven in six solid innings, allowing four hits and the one run with two walks. Liriano also pitched well, giving up the one run on four hits in 6 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out six.

Glen Perkins pitched the ninth for his first save, striking out Garrett Jones with the tying run on first to end it.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Minnesota closer Matt Capps, sidelined since Friday with right shoulder inflammation, threw before the game. Capps expects to pitch Thursday or Friday. ... Liriano retired 10 consecutive hitters at one point. ... Bedard set down nine hitters in a row in one stretch.