Jason Kubel hit a grand slam off Mariano Rivera in the eighth inning as the Minnesota Twins avoided a sweep with a 6-3 win over the New York Yankees on Sunday.

Jim Thome drew a bases-loaded walk in the five-run eighth inning and Justin Morneau chipped in a solo blast earlier in the contest for the Twins, who had managed only four hits through the first seven innings.

Joba Chamberlain struck out the side in an inning against Minnesota on Friday but wasn't nearly as sharp on Sunday, allowing a leadoff single to Denard Span and walking Joe Mauer with one out. Chamberlain then struck out Morneau before allowing an infield single by Michael Cuddyer that loaded the bases.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi then made the call to the bullpen to bring in Rivera. Thome worked a walk off to pull the Twins to within 3-2 before Kubel hit the first home run given up by the future Hall of Fame closer this year.

Rivera entered Sunday's contest without a blown save on the season and had allowed only three hits and two walks in 11 innings.

Kubel's grand slam made a winner out of righty Nick Blackburn, who yielded three runs and nine hits in seven innings while striking out four and walking one. Brian Duensing and Matt Guerrier combined for a scoreless eighth and Jon Rauch struck out the side in the ninth for his 10th save.

Randy Winn tripled in two runs and Sergio Mitre pitched five strong innings in a spot start for New York, which welcomes American League East rivals Boston and Tampa Bay to the Bronx for a pair of two-game series this week.