SIDELINES : Puckett 5-for-5, Gagne Homers as Twins Rout Blue Jays, 12-5

Kirby Puckett went 5-for-5 and Greg Gagne had three hits, including a two-run homer, leading the Minnesota Twins to a 12-5 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays today.

Puckett hit a double and four singles, and scored three times, while Gagne added two singles and scored twice as he Twins pounded out 19 hits, tying their season high.

John Candelaria (7-1), who replaced starter Mark Guthrie in the fourth, was the winner. He gave up two hits and no runs in three innings. Juan Berenguer worked the seventh and eighth innings, and Rick Aguilera pitched a scoreless ninth.

Gagne’s homer into the second deck in left field was the big hit in a three-run Minnesota fourth that broke open a 4-4 tie.

Fred Manrique, who went 4-for-5 with three RBIs, singled ahead of Gagne, who hit his fourth homer of the year, off Toronto starter Willie Blair (0-2).

Gene Larkin then doubled, chasing Blair. Puckett drilled the first pitch from reliever Frank Wills to center for a single, driving in Larkin and giving the Twins a 7-4 lead.