For the first time all season Josh Willingham looked like the guy that was awesome last season.
The “Hammer” smashed a pair of home runs, including a two-run shot in the bottom of the eighth to put the Twins ahead of the visiting Athletics, 4-3.
That would be the final score.
Willingham put the Twins on the board with a solo home run in the second innings, and Twins starter Liam Hendriks held that 1-nothing lead until he got into trouble in the fifth.
Hendriks served up a two-run home run to Oakland’s Alberto Callaspo, and an RBI single by Yeonis Cespedes ended Henriks’ night after 5 1/3 innings.
Trailing 3-1 in the sixth, Minnesota rookie Oswaldo Arcia launched his 11th homer of the season to put the Twins within one run.
All-Star closer Glen Perkins pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 34th save of the season.
