MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins' offense broke out for a season-high 14 hits in an 8-5 win against the Kansas City Royals in the rubber match of a three-game series at Target Field on Thursday.

It was the first series victory for Minnesota (3-6), which also won two in a row for the first time this season.

Kansas City (7-2) lost its second straight after opening the season 7-0.

Twins left-hander Tommy Milone (2-0) earned the win, allowing three runs on seven hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings. Closer Glen Perkins got the final two outs for his second save.

Five Twins had at least two hits, including first baseman Kennys Vargas, who blasted a two-run homer in the second inning to erase an early 2-0 deficit.

Right fielder Torii Hunter had three hits for his first multi-hit game of the season. He had four hits over the first eight games.

Kansas City lefty Jason Vargas struggled, allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits and a walk over three-plus innings.

The Royals took an early lead on a two-run homer by center fielder Lorenzo Cain in the first inning.

Vargas’ two-run bomb in the second evened the score before the Royals took another brief lead in the top half of the third after a two-out double by catcher Salvador Perez drove in Cain from third.

The Twins scored twice more in the bottom half of the inning, once on an RBI groundout by designated hitter Joe Mauer and the other on a rare error by Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas.

Mauer drove in another run with a single to right field in the fourth inning, providing the Twins with plenty of breathing room.

Catcher Kurt Suzuki added a two-run homer in the eighth inning and Mauer added his third RBI on a sacrifice fly to center.

Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar went 0-for-5, ending his 17-game hitting streak.

Cain had three hits, finishing a triple short of the cycle, and drove in three runs.

NOTES: Royals 2B Christian Colon made his first start of the season in place of Omar Infante. ... Twins RHP Ricky Nolasco played long toss again Thursday. He is scheduled to throw off a mound Sunday if he continues to progress. ... The Royals open a six-game homestand Friday against the Oakland Athletics. ... The Twins open a three-game series against the Cleveland Indians on Friday at Target Field.