The Athletics hit five homers and took a 12-1 lead into the ninth inning, preventing the Twins from gaining ground in the chase for the American League Central pennant.
Division-leading Detroit also lost Friday, leaving the Tigers 5 1/2 games in front of the Twins.
Jack Cust opened the assault with a solo homer in the second and Cliff Pennington had another in the third. Ellis delivered a three-run shot later in the third and Barton had a three-run homer in the fifth.
Kurt Suzuki highlighted a three-run sixth with a two-run shot. Oakland had 17 hits overall in winning for the fourth time in five games.
The offensive display allowed Clayton Mortensen (1-2) to pick up his first major league victory in his third start. He gave up a run on five hits in six innings.
Nick Blackburn (9-11) suffered the loss after allowing six runs on six hits in three innings.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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