MINNEAPOLIS -- Phil Hughes didnt come to Minnesota to be a saviour. He just wanted to throw strikes and help his new team win some games. On Sunday, he gave the Twins more proof they made a wise investment. Hughes won his third start in a row, Trevor Plouffe and Kurt Suzuki hit two-run doubles and the Twins beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-2. "It starts with the starting pitcher and he gave us a great opportunity against a very potent lineup," said Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, who was especially pleased with Hughes control. "You put guys on base, you miss a play and youll wind up killing yourself against those guys." Brought in as a free agent to help cure some of the Twins starting pitching woes, Hughes (3-1) again pitched like the ace the team hoped hed be. Hughes gave up two runs and six hits in 6 1-3 innings, walking none and striking out three. He became the first Twins pitcher to win three consecutive starts since Sam Deduno won three straight in July 2013. "I said in the off-season when they signed him I thought he was a really good sign," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "He gives you a lot of confidence. (He can) go up and go away and let those guys who can really run the ball down run it down. He was effective. Hes added the cutter and a lot more." Hughes, who left the Yankees in the off-season to join the Twins, gave up four earned runs in each of his first three starts this season. He has given up a total of six earned runs and just one walk in 19 1-3 innings over his last three outings. The focus was on control the weekend after Twins pitchers issued 22 walks -- including 12 by their starters -- as the Dodgers swept three games at Target Field earlier in the week. Against the Orioles, the Twins walked just two batters in three games and took two of three in the series. "I always take pride in throwing strikes, making guys earn their way on base and not giving any free passes," Hughes said. "If were going to make mistakes in the zone and were going to get beat on aggressive pitches, so be it. But we dont want to let them on for free." After giving up a single to Nick Markakis to start the game, Hughes retired the next 14 batters. Nelson Cruz broke up Hughes shutout bid with two outs in the sixth, hitting a two-run shot for his ninth homer of the season. Glen Perkins pitched a scoreless ninth for his seventh save in eight chances this year. The Twins played most of the day without first baseman Joe Mauer, who left in the top of the third inning with lower-back spasms. Gardenhire said that Mauer underwent treatment throughout the game and said he thinks he could play on Monday. The Twins scored twice in the third, helped by the hustle of the Twins most slump-ridden hitter. Eduardo Escobar led off with a single off Miguel Gonzalez (1-3) and Pedro Florimon, who entered the game hitting .121, followed with a routine ground ball to second base. Running hard down the line, Florimon barely beat shortstop J.J. Hardys double-play relay to first base. Brian Dozier then singled and one out later, Plouffe lined a double into the left-field corner that scored both runners. Gonzalez walked the bases full with two outs, then walked Kurt Suzuki to force home a run. Reliever Troy Patton bailed him out of the jam by retiring Sam Fuld. The Twins tacked on two insurance runs in the seventh against reliever Ryan Webb. Chris Colabello hit a one-out double, Jason Kubel walked and Suzuki hit a double to left that scored both runners. Kubel slid home just ahead of catcher Matt Wieters tag, a call that was confirmed via an instant-replay challenge. NOTES: Plouffe leads the majors with 14 doubles. ... Minnesota wrapped up an eight-game homestand with a 3-5 record. RHP Kyle Gibson (3-2, 4.34) is scheduled to start on Monday when the Twins begin a four-game series at Cleveland. Colorado Rockies Shirts . You can watch the game on TSN at 7pm et/4pm pt and listen to the game on TSN Radio 690 in Montreal. After starting the month of November on an 0-3-1 slide, the Canadiens have recorded wins in three of their last five outings (3-1-1). Colorado Rockies Pro Shop . Viewers in the Jets region can watch the game on TSN Jets at 6:30pm ct/7:30pm et. The game is also avialable on TSN Radio 1290 in Winnipeg at 7pm ct. https://www.cheaprockiesjerseys.us/.Mack, a reserve guard who came in averaging 3.8 points, made all six of his 3-pointers as the Hawks went 16 for 28 from behind the arc.Trailing 50-38 midway through the second quarter, Atlanta outscored Cleveland 89-48 the rest of the way and sent the Cavaliers to their largest loss of the season. Stitched Rockies Jerseys . Ramirez is still hitting behind Puig, only now they are in the third and fourth spots, and the change is starting to generate positive results for manager Don Mattingly. Colorado Rockies Store . Winners of two straight, the Flames will try to become the first team in 25 years to go three consecutive games without taking a penalty Saturday night in San Jose.Wolverhampton meet Belle Vue in the first leg of the Elite League Grand Final and you can see the action on Sky Sports 2 on Monday night. After Wolves stunned Poole and ended their hopes of another title, they will head into the first leg in great spirits and looking to get themselves into a lead, although as their semi-final turnaround showed they are happy playing catch-up.However, Belle Vues dominant display in their semi-final victory over Lakeside shows the battle for the championship will be intense. We turned to Sky Sports commentator Nigel Pearson to preview the action......Scene SetterWolverhampton have to make home advantage count in the first leg. They were brilliant against Poole in the semi-final with Grand Prix stars Freddie Lindgren and Tai Woffinden in fine form.Theyll be looking for a 10-point lead to take to the much bigger Manchester track on Wednesday.Reserves could be the key over two legs, too. Whoever wins that battle could win it for their club.Rider to WatchWolverhampton - Max Clegg. If he has a good night, Wolverhampton will have a good night too. At reserve, I feel if he can notch 5+ then the rest should take care of themselves.Belle Vue - Matej Zagar. Stuunning in the Grand Prix on Poland on Saturday, but what will we get from him on Monday? Hes inconsistent away from Belle Vue but the Aces need 8+ from him I feel.dddddddddddd Semi-final reports Wolves and Aces through on dramatic night Tactical BattleAs with the semi-final, Wolverhampton need to keep Belle Vue at bay, ideally without giving them the chance to go for double-points up to and including Heat 11. That means a handy eight-point lead by then would do them nicely to build further in 13, 14 and 15.Belle Vue are dialled into their own track now, so will have some advantage on Wednesday - hence why Wolves need to be 10-up after Monday.Track ConditionsIt will be chilly, but Doc Bridgett is one of the best in the business at getting a track spot on!Line UpsWolverhampton - Freddie Lindgren, Peter Karlsson, Jacob Thorssell, Tai Woffinden, Sam Masters, Max Clegg, Kyle Howarth.Belle Vue - Matej Zagar, Steve Worrall, Max Fricke, Scott Nicholls, Craig Cook, Richie Worrall, Joe Jacobs. ' ' '