twins/mlb

Final Score: Minnesota 3, Seattle 2

Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - Joe Mauer hit a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning on Friday and the Twins downed the Mariners, 3-2, in the opener of a three-game series.

Minnesota, which was no-hit by the Angels' Jered Weaver on Wednesday, trailed 2-0 entering the seventh before loading the bases with one out. Chris Parmelee then scored on a throwing error by reliever Tom Wilhelmsen (1-1), Alexi Casilla crossed the plate on a groundout and Mauer made it 3-2 with a base hit up the middle.

Carl Pavano (2-2) earned the win, allowing two runs on eight hits without issuing a walk over six innings. Matt Capps recorded his fifth save of the season for the Twins, who had been shut out in their previous two games.

"We took advantage of one mistake that they made which is nice to do," said Pavano. "It's a break that went our way that we haven't seen in a while. This could get the ball rolling. We played a good baseball game today."

Kyle Seager and Mike Carp both had an RBI double in the fifth inning for Seattle, which has lost seven straight.

Seattle starter Jason Vargas retired Danny Valencia to begin the seventh before Parmelee doubled to deep center. Wilhelmsen entered, promptly walked Casilla and Trevor Plouffe, then barehanded Denard Span's high chopper but threw wide to second base, allowing Parmelee to score.

"I just had a brain fart, and a pretty important one that cost the ball game," said Wilhelmsen.

Span was forced out on Jamey Carroll's subsequent grounder, which scored Casilla. Mauer's grounder was slowed by shortstop Brendan Ryan in shallow center, but Plouffe crossed the plate with the decisive run.

Game Notes

Pavano earned his first win since May 29, 2010...Vargas was charged with one run on four hits in 6 1/3 innings...Twins manager Ron Gardenhire traveled to Minneapolis after Wednesday's game to attend daughter's graduation. He will be back with the club on Monday.