MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins bullpen started this week’s series against the Atlanta Braves by pitching eight scoreless innings, leading to a pair of victories at Target Field.

Wednesday afternoon, however, the relievers faltered and needed help from the hitters to secure a sweep against the National League East leaders.

That help came from Josh Bell and Kody Clemens, who teamed up for the winning run in the seventh inning as the Twins beat the Braves 6-4 in front of 20,316.

“Everybody on our team contributed in this win,’’ Twins manager Derek Shelton said. “There were a lot of things that we did on the positive side, and we ended up beating a really good team.’’

The decisive moments came in the seventh.

With one out, Bell hit a line drive to right-center off Victor Merderos that appeared to be a long single, but the designated hitter saw center fielder Mike Harris II chasing the ball. Bell hustled his way to second for a double.

“I knew I hit it pretty good, so I just watched Mike Harris field it in the outfield,’’ said Bell, who has reached base in 22 consecutive games. “As soon as he took those extra steps, I just ran.’’

Said Shelton of Bell’s hustle: “There was no hesitation with where we were at, and that’s the thing that propelled us.’’

Braves manager Walt Weiss replaced Merderos with left-hander Dylan Lee to face the left-handed hitting Clemens, whose two-run double off the right-field wall in the fifth put the Twins up 4-1. Admittedly fired-up by Bell, Clemens hit a slider off Lee to plate Bell from second for a 5-4 lead.

“I try to pull through every time I can,’’ Clemens said. “You’re not always going to, so it feels great when you do.’’

Brooks Lee’s RBI single made it 6-4.

The Twins turned to their bullpen to lock it down. A.J. Minter (2-2) got the win with a scoreless two-thirds in the seventh inning. Jeff Hoffman pitched a scoreless eighth, working around Ozzie Albies’ double, while striking out three. Yoendrys Gomez pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his third save in the series and 20th of the season.

“They’ve been grinding. We’ve been grinding,’’ Clemens said of the bullpen. “It’s a team game, and it’s always nice when we can contribute on both sides of the ball.’’

The Twins began Wednesday a half-game behind Texas for the final AL wild-card spot, and the victory means they won’t lose any ground in a race that had six teams within 1.5 games of the final spot.

“Every game’s important,’’ Bell said. “Each win that we can scratch is going to go toward our postseason push. It’s super huge, especially bouncing back after losing to the Phillies.’’

Twins starter Taj Bradley pitched well, giving up one run and two hits over five innings while striking out seven and walking three.

The Twins seemed to take control with a three-run fifth for a 4-1 lead. After Kaelen Culpepper hit a one-out single to right, Luke Keaschall followed with a bloop single to right and Byron Buxton walked, loading the bases. Bell walked on a full count, scoring Culpepper for a 2-1 lead.

Weiss replaced starter A.J. Smith-Shawver with left-hander Dylan Dodd. Clemens greeted Dodd with a two-run double off the right-field wall, giving the Twins a 4-1 lead.

The Braves promptly scored three runs off Twins reliever Kody Funderburk to tie it in the sixth.

Matt Olson led off with a single to right and Harris followed by beating out an infield single. Pinch hitter Lane Thomas singled to right, scoring Olson. Ozzie Albies’ sacrifice fly to right scored Harris to make it 4-3. Shelton pulled Funderburk for right-hander Tommy Nance, who gave up a single to pinch hitter Maurico Dubon, putting runners at first and third. Nance then balked in a run, tying the score 4-4. Nance struck out Dubon and Jarvis to end the inning.

Thanks to Bell and Clemens, the Twins applied the finishing touches on a sweep. They’re off Thursday before resuming interleague play Friday at San Diego. They’ll leave with some spring in their step.

“We’re in this stretch where we’re playing good teams and we’re playing teams in the National League, which is unfamiliar to us,’’ Shelton said. “But we expect to go out and continue to battle and have good games out there.’’

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