twins/mlb

Final Score: Minnesota 5, Texas 1

Arlington, TX (Sports Network) - Francisco Liriano pitched into the seventh inning, Justin Morneau homered, and the Twins downed the Rangers, 5-1, in the opener of a three-game series.

Liriano (3-7) allowed one run on five hits over 6 2/3 frames. He walked six, struck out six, and picked up his first road win of the season.

"I've been hitting my spots better, throwing more strikes, and being more consistent," said Liriano.

Morneau hit a solo shot and a run-scoring single and Joe Mauer added a pair of RBI for the Twins, who halted a two-game skid. They have won six of their last eight overall.

Martin Perez (1-1) made his second career start and gave up four runs -- two earned -- on six hits over six innings.

Nelson Cruz drove in the lone run for Texas, which has dropped a season-high five straight games.

Mauer triggered a three-run third by driving home Ben Revere and scoring later in the frame on an error by first baseman Mike Napoli. Morneau, who hit a solo blast in the seventh, capped the early burst with a single to right, which plated Josh Willingham.

It was 4-0 in the fourth courtesy of Mauer's sacrifice fly and Texas scored its lone run in the sixth when Adrian Beltre slapped a leadoff single, moved up on a passed ball and scored on Cruz's base hit to left.

The Rangers have been outscored 34-9 during their current losing streak.

"I'm disappointed but no one is more disappointed than those guys in that club house," said Rangers manager Ron Washington. "No one in this room right here, in the stands, and nowhere in Texas want to win more than those guys. We hit a funk. We're gonna have to keep grinding and fight our way through it."

Game Notes

Liriano improved to 1-5 on the road this season. He is 4-1 with a save in eight career games -- six starts -- against Texas...Perez won his first major league start on Saturday versus the Athletics.