Paxton improved to 5-7 with a 3.72 ERA as he allowed just one run on five hits with no walks and nine strikeouts in an efficient 85-pitch outing. Nelson Cruz capped a six-run seventh for Seattle with a two-run double and then unloaded a two-run homer in the eighth, while Robinson Cano had four hits and two RBIs.
Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson took the loss as he gave up two runs on five hits over five innings and is now 1-8 with a 5.21 ERA in 13 home starts. Minnesota has been outscored 40-10 in losing seven straight while falling to 55-99.