Lawrence Butler ignited a six-run second inning with a bases-clearing double, Nick Kurtz launched his 26th home run and rookie Jack Perkins combined with two relievers on a five-hitter, enabling the visiting Athletics to complete a three-game sweep of the Minnesota Twins with an 8-3 victory Thursday afternoon.

Tyler Soderstrom went 4-for-4 with a double to highlight a 12-hit attack for the A’s, who recorded their 59th win — one more than the Twins — en route to their first sweep at Minnesota since 2014.

Butler came to the plate with two outs in the second after Willie MacIver was hit by a pitch, Brett Harris singled and Kurtz walked. Butler lashed a three-run double to left off Twins starter Jose Urena (0-1). Brent Rooker followed with an RBI double, then Darell Hernaiz and Carlos Cortes each connected for a run-scoring single to give the A’s a commanding 6-0 lead.

Kurtz’s homer led off the sixth after the Twins closed within 6-2. Max Schuemann completed the visitors’ scoring with an RBI single in the seventh.

Urena was pulled after five innings, having allowed six runs and seven hits. He walked two and struck out three.

Perkins (3-2) also worked five innings, during which he served up just two runs and three hits. He walked four and struck out two.

Ben Bowden and Osvaldo Bido finished up for the A’s, with the Twins wrapping up the day’s scoring on an RBI double by Royce Lewis in the ninth. Bido, who threw the final three innings, was credited with his first career save.

James Outman and Austin Martin had RBI singles to account for Minnesota’s two runs in the fourth.

Kurtz, who had two hits, and MacIver scored twice apiece for the A’s, who won for the fifth time in their last six games.

Lewis and Larnach had doubles for the Twins, who lost for the sixth time in their last seven games.

–Field Level Media