TORONTO - Brian Dozier hit a first-inning homer for the second game in a row and Kevin Correia pitched six shutout innings as the Minnesota Twins defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 4-0 on Tuesday.
It was the third time in the past four games that the Blue Jays, who lead the American League East, have been shut out.
The victory by the Twins (30-33) evened the three-game series.
Correia (3-7) held the Blue Jays to six hits and one walk while striking out one. The right-hander reduced his earned-run average to 5.60 in picking up his first win since May 20.
Toronto left-hander J.A. Happ (5-3) fell behind before he got an out when Dozier, the Twins second baseman, hit a two-run homer in the first.
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Happ allowed six hits, three walks and four runs (three earned) in 3 2/3 innings. Right-hander Chad Jenkins replaced him and pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing one hit.
Correia was replaced by left-hander Brian Duensing after Blue Jays catcher Dioner Navarro led off the seventh with his second single of the game.
Pinch-hitter Steve Tolleson struck out and pinch-hitter Kevin Pillar forced Navarro at second before shortstop Jose Reyes extended his hit streak to 11 games with a single to left. But left fielder Melky Cabrera lined out to third to end the threat.
Right-hander Jared Burton took over in the eighth and set the Blue Jays (39-27) down in order.
Left-hander Glen Perkins pitched the ninth for the Twins.
Dozier hit his first-inning homer to left on an 0-1 changeup to give the Twins a 2-0 lead.
Twins’ Pelfrey out 2-4 months
Minnesota Twins pitcher Mike Pelfrey had surgery on Tuesday to relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve in his right elbow and will be sidelined 2-4 months, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported.
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Pelfrey signed a two-year, $11 million free agent contract with Minnesota over the winter. However, he is 0-3 with a 7.99 earned-run average in five starts.
