BOSTON — Mitch Garver hit a tiebreaking RBI double with two outs in the eighth inning, and the Minnesota Twins held on to beat the Boston Red Sox 2-1 on Thursday night.

Kyle Gibson (5-7) held Boston to four hits and one run in eight innings. Fernando Rodney surrendered a single and back-to-back walks to load the bases in the ninth, but he struck out Jackie Bradley Jr. to complete the five-hitter and earn his 22nd save in 27 opportunities.

The Twins have won four straight. Boston has lost three of five. Its lead in the AL East fell to 4½ games over the New York Yankees, who beat Kansas City on Thursday.

Boston’s Heath Hembree and Matt Barnes (3-3) combined to give up four hits and both of Minnesota’s runs after Hembree relieved starter Brian Johnson in the sixth.

Johnson allowed three hits in the first inning. He then retired 14 straight before surrendering a walk in the sixth.

His night ended after 5 2/3 innings, in which he allowed four hits and struck out five. It was one of the best starts in the major leagues for Johnson, who’s worked mostly out of the bullpen this season.