Royals 10, Twins 5: Billy Butler collected three hits and three RBIs while Salvador Perez homered and drove in two runs as visiting Kansas City extended its winning streak to three games.
Alex Gordon also had two RBIs for the Royals, who clinched their second straight series victory with their seventh win in 17 meetings with the American League Central-rival Twins this season.
After spotting Minnesota a 3-0 lead, Kansas City began its comeback when Perez belted a one-out solo homer in the fourth. The blast, his 10th, extended Perez's hitting streak to 16 games.
Butler highlighted a five-run fifth with a two-run single and added an RBI base hit during a four-run eighth that featured three errors by Twins left fielder Ryan Doumit. Perez capped the eighth-inning uprising with an RBI single.
Luke Hochevar (8-13) snapped his personal four-game losing streak despite surrendering five runs on six hits and four walks in five innings. The right-hander, who is 1-2 in four starts against Minnesota this season, struck out four.
P.J. Walters (2-4) was tagged for six runs and seven hits in four frames as he fell to 0-3 in six starts since tossing his first career complete game on May 22 against the Chicago White Sox.
Jamey Carroll drove in three runs and Denard Span returned from the disabled list to go 3-for-5 with two runs scored for the Twins, who are 3-3 on their 10-game homestand.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Kansas City will begin the 2013 season with a six-game road trip that will take it to Chicago to face the White Sox beginning April 1 before a three-game interleague series in Philadelphia. The Royals' home opener will be April 8 against Minnesota. ... The Twins open the 2013 campaign on April 1 at home against Detroit. ... Minnesota C Joe Mauer missed his second straight game with back spasms. ... Kansas City RF David Lough returned to the lineup after missing a week with a strained right hamstring. Lough went 2-for-6 and scored a run.
Kansas City | Minnesota | |
Luke Hochevar | Player | P.J. Walters |
Win | W/L | Loss |
5.0 | IP | 4.0 |
4 | Strikeouts | 3 |
6 | Hits | 7 |
9.00 | ERA | 13.50 |
Kansas City | Minnesota | |
Billy Butler | Player | Denard Span |
3 | Hits | 3 |
3 | RBI | 0 |
0 | HR | 0 |
3 | TB | 5 |
.600 | Avg | .600 |
Team | Hits | HR | TB | Avg | LOB | K | RBI | BB | SB | Errors |
Kansas City | 14 | 1 | 17 | .333 | 23 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Minnesota | 8 | 0 | 11 | .242 | 15 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 |