MINNEAPOLIS — Charlie Blackmon hit a towering two-run homer during a four-run sixth inning and finished with three hits to lead the Colorado Rockies over the Minnesota Twins 7-3 on Tuesday night.

Blackmon had three RBIs, Gerardo Parra added a solo homer and Kyle Freeland pitched six innings as first-place Colorado earned its 12th win in 17 road games.

Freeland (4-2) allowed three runs, five hits and four walks while striking out three. Greg Holland recorded his 17th save in 17 chances after Minnesota put two runners on in the ninth against Chris Rusin.

Byron Buxton hit a solo homer for the Twins, but Phil Hughes (4-2) had another disappointing outing. He gave up five runs, eight hits and a walk in five innings.

Colorado has adjusted well to playing away from altitude this season with a pitching staff that entered with the best road ERA and opponents’ batting average in the majors. Freeland is one of three rookie members of that rotation.

The Rockies haven’t had a winning record on the road since 2009 and went 33-48 away from Coors Field last season.

Freeland managed his way through trouble as Minnesota left five runners on in the first four innings and went 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position. Jason Castro and Brian Dozier had RBI doubles in the second against Freeland.

Minnesota is also in first place, but the AL Central leaders dropped to 8-11 at home.

Hughes has allowed at least four runs in three of his past four starts and at least four runs in each of his three starts at home. Hughes departed after allowing a double to Carlos Gonzalez and an RBI single by Ian Desmond to open the sixth.