Oakland 7, Minnesota 3

Ryan Sweeney highlighted a six-run third inning with a two-run double as the Oakland Athletics continued their offensive assault en route to a 7-3 triumph over the visiting Minnesota Twins on Sunday.

Cliff Pennington extended his hitting streak to 15 games and Brandon McCarthy won his third straight decision for Oakland, which has scored at least five runs in each of its last eight contests.

Minnesota's Jim Thome hit his 597th career homer and drove in his 1,652nd run, tying him with Tony Perez for 27th place on the all-time list. Thome and Joe Mauer each recorded three hits for the Twins.

After Thome launched a solo shot in the top of the third to give the Twins a 3-0 lead, the Athletics reeled off seven consecutive one-out hits against Carl Pavano (6-8) to take control. Jemile Weeks began the outburst with a double and Pennington capped it with an RBI single.

McCarthy (4-5) allowed three runs and eight hits over six innings with a career-high nine strikeouts.

• Oakland will play their next game on the road against Seattle. The Athletics have a W/L % of .438 after a win and .467 after a loss.
• Minnesota will play their next game on the road against LA Angels. The Twins have a W/L % of .549 after a win and .386 after a loss.