MINNEAPOLIS -AP- Jung Ho Kang hit a tiebreaking home run off the facing off the second deck in left center-field in the ninth inning, lifting the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Minnesota Twins 8-7 Tuesday night.Kang's sixth home run of the season, a drive off All-Star closer Glen Perkins (0-3), sent Pittsburgh to its fourth win five games.Perkins has allowed runs in three of four post-All-Star break appearances, blowing a pair of saves after coverting his first 28 chances. 
Pittsburgh All-Star closer Mark Melancon (2-1) retired five batters after the Twins tied the game with a four-run rally in the eighth.Gregory Polanco hit a three-run double in the eighth and scored on Neil Walker's single for a 7-3 lead, but Minnesota tied the score in the bottom half.Kang had two hits, scored two runs and was hit by a pitch. He has hit .441 in his last nine games in helping Pittsburgh overcome injuries to third baseman Josh Harrison and shortstop Jordy Mercer.Melancon entered in the eighth after Eduardo Escobar's ground-rule double tied the game at 7-all and allowed just one walk in the ninth.Francisco Cervelli added three hits for Pittsburgh, which has a major league-leading 11 interleague wins this season.Charlie Morton allowed three runs, six hits and four walks in 5 2/3 innings.Mike Pelfrey gave up three runs -- two earned -- and five in 5 1/3 innings.
Pittsburgh All-Star closer Mark Melancon (2-1) retired five batters after the Twins tied the game with a four-run rally in the eighth.Gregory Polanco hit a three-run double in the eighth and scored on Neil Walker's single for a 7-3 lead, but Minnesota tied the score in the bottom half.Kang had two hits, scored two runs and was hit by a pitch. He has hit .441 in his last nine games in helping Pittsburgh overcome injuries to third baseman Josh Harrison and shortstop Jordy Mercer.Melancon entered in the eighth after Eduardo Escobar's ground-rule double tied the game at 7-all and allowed just one walk in the ninth.Francisco Cervelli added three hits for Pittsburgh, which has a major league-leading 11 interleague wins this season.Charlie Morton allowed three runs, six hits and four walks in 5 2/3 innings.Mike Pelfrey gave up three runs -- two earned -- and five in 5 1/3 innings.
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