Minneapolis ? The Minnesota Twins stumbled into the All-Star break in an awful slump and opened the second half against what might be baseball’s top trio of starting pitchers.

Three straight wins? The Twins were a little surprised themselves.

Doug Mientkiewicz hit a two-run homer and Matthew LeCroy added a three-run double in Minnesota’s 9-4 victory over Mark Mulder and the Oakland Athletics Saturday afternoon.

“Man, I can’t believe we beat all three of the big dogs,” said the Twins’ Torii Hunter.

The only other time Mulder, Tim Hudson and Barry Zito have lost consecutive decisions was April 27-29, 2001, against the Yankees in New York.

“It’s got to happen sometime,” Mulder said. “It’s not something any of us are thinking about.”

Brad Radke gained his first win in 10 starts since May 16 and Dustan Mohr hit a two-run double for Minnesota, which improved to 7-1 against Oakland this season.

Terrence Long hit a two-run homer and Ramon Hernandez also homered for the A’s, who lost three straight for the first time since they dropped six in a row April 10-15.

Mulder (12-7) allowed seven hits, five runs and two walks in six innings while striking out five. This was only the second time this season he allowed more than four runs and the first time in his last seven starts he didn’t last seven innings or more.

Minnesota third base coach Al Newman, left, congratulates Doug Mientkiewicz for hitting a two-run home run. The Twins defeated Oakland, 9-4, Saturday in Minneapolis.

Manager Ken Macha was asked if consecutive losses by his “Big Three” was demoralizing to his team.

“Generally speaking,” Macha said after a 15-second pause. “It’s our job to keep everybody focused and upbeat tomorrow. We scored some runs out there, so there is some optimism.”

The Twins, who lost 22 of 28 heading into the break, fell behind 3-0 against Mulder after taking early leads on Hudson Thursday and Zito Friday.

“Those guys are so good,” Mohr said. “They bring the best out in you.”

White Sox 6, Tigers 2

Chicago — Nate Cornejo had a no-hitter for 62/3 innings. Then, in a matter of minutes, he had the loss as Chicago rallied to beat Detroit. Pinch-hitter Tony Graffanino lofted a three-run homer in the seventh off reliever Jamie Walker, ruining a strong effort by the 23-year-old Cornejo and sending the White Sox to victory.

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Cornejo (4-8) didn’t allow a hit until Paul Konerko grounded a single between short and third with two outs in the seventh, starting a string of seven straight Chicago hits.

Jose Valentin followed with another single and then Joe Crede blooped an RBI single to center to cut Detroit’s lead to 2-1 as Cornejo lost his shutout and his chance at finishing the game.

Manager Alan Trammell called on lefty reliever Walker and Graffanino delivered the third pinch-hit homer of his career.

Red Sox 5, Blue Jays 4 (10)

Boston — Trot Nixon singled through a drawn-in infield to score Gabe Kapler from third base in the bottom of the 10th inning, and Manny Ramirez had a tying hit in the ninth as Boston rallied past Toronto. Kevin Millar and Bill Mueller hit solo homers for the Red Sox, who were one strike away from losing their fourth consecutive game and a season-high three straight at home.

Pinch-hitter Jeremy Giambi, who entered hitting just .173 and was booed when he was announced, led off the 10th with an infield hit against Aquilino Lopez (1-3). Kapler pinch-ran and stole second on the next pitch. He moved to third on the same play when catcher Greg Myers’ throw bounced away for an error. Nixon then singled past a diving second baseman Orlando Hudson.

Byung-Hyun Kim (3-2) recorded three outs for the win.

Orioles 8, Angels 4

Baltimore — Baltimore made it easy for Sidney Ponson to earn his career-high 13th win, scoring seven runs in the first two innings in a victory over Anaheim. Luis Matos homered and drove in three runs, and Jeff Conine and B.J. Surhoff each had two RBIs for the Orioles, who today will seek to complete their first four-game sweep of the Angels since 1965.

Baltimore is 7-1 against the defending world champions, including 5-0 at home.

Ponson (13-5) allowed four runs — three earned — and nine hits in 61/3 innings for his 12th win in 15 starts. He struck out three and walked two in improving to 6-0 against the Angels, the only AL team that has never beaten the right-hander.

Yankees 7, Indians 4

New York — Derek Jeter scored from first on Jason Giambi’s three-run single, and the New York Yankees beat Cleveland for their fourth straight victory. Alfonso Soriano hit a leadoff homer and Raul Mondesi also connected for the Yankees, who got seven innings from David Wells on Old-Timers’ Day. Mariano Rivera bailed out a shaky Armando Benitez to close it.

Jody Gerut and Milton Bradley hit consecutive home runs to give the Indians a 4-2 lead, but All-Star C.C. Sabathia couldn’t hold it as Cleveland dropped its fourth in a row.

Rangers 7, Devil Rays 3

St. Petersburg, Fla. — Doug Glanville hit a two-run double in Texas’ four-run second inning as the Rangers beat Tampa Bay. Glanville went 3-for-5, and has 16 hits in 30 at-bats in his last seven games for the Rangers. Joaquin Benoit (5-4) gave up three runs and six hits in five innings for the win. Tampa Bay starter Victor Zambrano (6-5) tied an AL record by hitting four batters, becoming the 24th pitcher since 1900 to do so.

Rangers right fielder Juan Gonzalez left because of tightness in his right calf during the second inning.