Twins Receive Double Dose of A’s Giambi

Jason Giambi hit two home runs and drove in three runs to lead the Oakland Athletics over the Minnesota Twins, 5-3, Tuesday night.

Giambi, who has 36 homers and 115 runs batted in, hit a solo shot in the third and a two-run homer in the seventh for a 5-2 lead. It was his second multihomer game in four days and fifth of the season.

Eric Chavez also homered to help the A’s win their fourth consecutive game. The A’s remained one game behind Seattle in the American League West and moved within a half-game of Cleveland in the wild-card race.

Mark Mulder (9-10) gave up three hits in seven innings to win his second consecutive start. He struck out five and walked three.

Mulder walked Brian Buchanan in the second, ending the A’s club record streak of consecutive innings without a walk at 39.

Jim Mecir and Jason Isringhausen completed the six-hitter, with Isringhausen getting the final out for his 27th save in 34 chances. It was Isringhausen’s first save since Aug. 15.

Minnesota starter Brad Radke (11-15) gave up five runs and 10 hits in seven innings. He had won three of his previous four starts.

After Ramon Hernandez singled in Miguel Tejada to tie the score in the second, Giambi homered leading off the third to make it 2-1.

After the Twins tied it again at 2-2, Chavez led off the fourth with his 22nd homer.