Jim Thome and Jason Kubel homered as the Minnesota Twins edged the Kansas City Royals 5-4 on Monday.

Matt Tolbert added a sacrifice fly and Matt Capps picked up his 36th save for the Twins, who maintained their 3 ½-game lead over the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central.

The Royals picked up a quick 2-0 lead in the second before Minnesota’s offense went to work. Tolbert cut the deficit in half with his RBI in the bottom of the second and Thome tied it up in the fourth when his double scored Michael Cuddyer.

The Twins knocked Sean O’Sullivan (2-5) out in the fifth with a pair of home runs. Kubel followed Joe Mauer’s single with a two-run blast and Thome added a solo shot - the 585th of his career - to push it to 5-2.

Kevin Slowey came off the disabled list to make the start for Minnesota but lasted only four innings, allowing seven hits. Jeff Manship (2-0) allowed two runs in relief before three relievers combined for two scoreless frames in front of Capps.