Francisco Liriano pitched seven innings of one-run ball and the Minnesota Twins notched a rare victory over the visiting New York Yankees with a 9-4 romp on Saturday night.

Jason Kubel had three hits, including a two-run single to cap a five-run second inning, as the Twins broke it open early and beat New York for only the second time in 12 games at Target Field.

Liriano (9-9) reached the .500 mark for the first time this season, allowing three hits and striking out six for his first victory over the Yankees in six career starts.

Danny Valencia homered and Ben Revere and Justin Morneau had two RBIs apiece to give Minnesota just its 20th win in the last 81 matchups with New York.

Yankees starter A.J. Burnett (9-10) was dreadful, lasting 1 2/3 innings and allowing seven runs. He walked three and threw a pair of wild pitches in falling to 1-9 in his last 15 starts in August.

Andruw Jones homered and Brett Gardner and Francisco Cervelli had RBI singles for New York, which maintained its half-game lead over Boston atop the AL East.