Mark Ellis belted a two-run homer and Bobby Cramer tossed five-plus strong innings as the Oakland Athletics recorded a 6-2 triumph over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday.

Aki Iwamura ripped a two-run single and Kurt Suzuki and Rajai Davis added RBI singles for Oakland (74-74), which took two of three from the AL Central-leading Twins.

Staked to an early lead, Cramer (2-0) pitched well in this one. The journeyman left-hander allowed two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings to pick up the win.

Brad Ziegler and Michael Wuertz bridged the gap to Craig Breslow, who struck out two in the ninth inning to secure the victory.

Michael Cuddyer and Jim Thome belted solo homers for Minnesota (89-60), which fell for just the fifth time in its last 22 games.

Francisco Liriano (14-8) suffered his first setback since the All-Star break. The 26-year-old left-hander, who was 8-0 in his previous 11 starts, permitted five runs and seven hits in five innings to take the loss.