Royals 9, Twins 3: Eric Hosmer homered twice and Billy Butler and Mike Moustakas also went deep as visiting Kansas City improved to 6-2 against Minnesota this season.

The Royals entered the contest with a major league-low 43 homers before erupting for a season-high four. James Shields (3-6) allowed three runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings to break a 10-start winless streak.

Butler got the power display started with a three-run blast off P.J. Walters (2-4) in the first inning to snap a 40-game homerless streak. Moustakas halted his 35-game drought with a two-run shot in the third to make it 6-0.

Hosmer pounded a solo blast in the fifth and added a two-run shot in the seventh for his second career multihomer game. He has hit five of his seven homers in Kansas City’s last 14 games.

Clete Thomas homered for the Twins and Justin Morneau and Brian Dozier each had run-scoring doubles. Walters allowed six runs and six hits in three innings to drop his fourth straight decision.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Kansas City’s power barrage allowed it to pass the Miami Marlins (45) in the homer department. … Twins C Ryan Doumit returned form an ankle injury and was hitless in five at-bats. His availability allowed Joe Mauer to serve as the DH. … The Royals are 26-5 when scoring four or more runs this season.