Royals Rock Twins 10-5, Win 3rd Straight

MINNEAPOLIS — For the first time this season, the Kansas City Royals have won a series against the Minnesota Twins, after a 10-5 shellacking on Wednesday night at Target Field.

The Royals (65-77, 34-39 away) have had success against a variety of teams this season, but the A.L. Central’s last-place Twins (59-84, 28-43 home) are not one of them. Minnesota still leads the season series 10-7.

In the third inning, Luke Hochevar’s third consecutive walk scored Twins center fielder Denard Span. A sacrifice fly by third baseman Jamey Carroll gave the Twins a 3-0 lead.

Despite a poor performance, Hochevar (8-13, 5.46 ERA) earned the win, giving up five runs on six hits in 5 innings, striking out four and walking four.

In the fourth, Royals catcher Sal Perez crushed a solo home run to cut the deficit to 3-1, his 10th HR of the season. Perez also extended his hitting streak to 16 games.

The Royals finally got to Twins starter P.J. Walters in the fifth. Billy Butler’s two-run RBI single was part of a five-run rally inning that put the Royals up 6-3.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Twins answered with a two-run RBI single by Carroll to make it 6-5.

Lefty reliever Tim Collins (3.09 ERA) tossed two scoreless innings to help keep the Royals out in front.

In the eighth, the Royals tacked on four more runs, including two RBI singles from shortstop Alcides Escobar. Kansas City finished 8-16 with runners in scoring position.

Walters (2-4, 6.70 ERA) earned the loss, giving up six runs on seven hits in 4 innings, fanning three and walking two.

The Royals go for the sweep on Thursday night, Luis Mendoza (7-9, 4.63 ERA) takes the mound against Twins right-hander Liam Hendriks (0-7, 6.20 ERA) for game three at Target Field.