PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Brian Dozier got Minnesota started with a home run in the first inning and Trevor Plouffe hit a two-run shot in a six-run second as the Twins built an early 7-0 lead then held on for an 8-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.The highlight for the Pirates came in the bottom of the Twins' big inning.Pedro Alvarez hit a 461-foot home run that landed in a boat docked along the Allegheny River beyond the right-field stands. Alvarez became just the third player to reach the water on the fly since PNC Park opened in 2001 
After Dozier's solo shot ran his hitting streak to 10 games, Joe Mauer hit a three-single to key the big second inning. Left fielder Starling Marte was late getting to the ball that dropped in short left-center field and Dozier raced home all the way from first base and beat a throw that was well off target.Suzuki, Plouffe, Kurt Suzuki and Aaron Hicks each had two hits for the Twins, who won for the third time in four games.Ricky Nolasco (4-1) made it through 5 1-3 shaky innings to win his fourth straight start since being on the disabled list with elbow inflammation. He gave up four runs - three earned - and 10 hits and has yet to pitch into the sixth inning in any of his five starts this season.Glen Perkins recorded his 14th save in as many opportunities by pitching a perfect ninth inning.Francisco Liriano (1-4) gave up both home runs and was tagged for seven runs in just two innings while losing his third consecutive start. He spent his first eight seasons with the Twins from 2005-12.The Pirates lost for the fifth time in six games, though Josh Harrison and rookie Jung Ho Kang each had three hits. Neil Walker and Alvarez each had two of Pittsburgh's 13 hits.Alvarez joined Houston's Daryle Ward (2002) and Pittsburgh's Garrett Jones (2013) in hitting balls on the fly into the river.TABATA TIMEDropped from the 40-man roster last October, outfielder Jose Tabata's contract was selected by the Pirates from Indianapolis on Tuesday, and right-hander Wilfredo Boscan was optioned to the Triple-A team.Tabata, who has a $4 million salary and is in the fifth year of a six-year, $15 million contract, had a pinch-hit RBI single in the third inning. He was hitting .352 with no homers and four RBIs in 28 games at Indianapolis, including .438 in his last 14 games.Infielder Justin Sellers was transferred from the 60-day disabled list from the 15-day DL to open a spot on the 40-man for Tabata.
After Dozier's solo shot ran his hitting streak to 10 games, Joe Mauer hit a three-single to key the big second inning. Left fielder Starling Marte was late getting to the ball that dropped in short left-center field and Dozier raced home all the way from first base and beat a throw that was well off target.Suzuki, Plouffe, Kurt Suzuki and Aaron Hicks each had two hits for the Twins, who won for the third time in four games.Ricky Nolasco (4-1) made it through 5 1-3 shaky innings to win his fourth straight start since being on the disabled list with elbow inflammation. He gave up four runs - three earned - and 10 hits and has yet to pitch into the sixth inning in any of his five starts this season.Glen Perkins recorded his 14th save in as many opportunities by pitching a perfect ninth inning.Francisco Liriano (1-4) gave up both home runs and was tagged for seven runs in just two innings while losing his third consecutive start. He spent his first eight seasons with the Twins from 2005-12.The Pirates lost for the fifth time in six games, though Josh Harrison and rookie Jung Ho Kang each had three hits. Neil Walker and Alvarez each had two of Pittsburgh's 13 hits.Alvarez joined Houston's Daryle Ward (2002) and Pittsburgh's Garrett Jones (2013) in hitting balls on the fly into the river.TABATA TIMEDropped from the 40-man roster last October, outfielder Jose Tabata's contract was selected by the Pirates from Indianapolis on Tuesday, and right-hander Wilfredo Boscan was optioned to the Triple-A team.Tabata, who has a $4 million salary and is in the fifth year of a six-year, $15 million contract, had a pinch-hit RBI single in the third inning. He was hitting .352 with no homers and four RBIs in 28 games at Indianapolis, including .438 in his last 14 games.Infielder Justin Sellers was transferred from the 60-day disabled list from the 15-day DL to open a spot on the 40-man for Tabata.
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