Royals 9, Twins 8
David Lough hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning to cap a four-hit, four-run, three-RBI performance as visiting Kansas City gained a split of the four-game series.
Minnesota had tied the game in the bottom of the seventh on Justin Morneau’s two-run homer and Josh Willingham’s ground-rule double. Lough put the Royals back ahead in the following inning with his second career homer, a line shot to right field off Jared Burton (1-5).
Eric Hosmer added a ninth-inning homer to give the Royals a two-run lead. Aaron Crow (5-3) worked 1 2/3 innings of relief and Greg Holland allowed Trevor Plouffe’s leadoff blast in the ninth before striking out the next three hitters for his 17th save in 19 opportunities.
Lough had a two-run double and Johnny Giavotella also had two RBIs as the Royals led 5-1 through four innings. Clete Thomas hit a two-run homer in the fifth and Oswaldo Arcia singled in a run later in the inning for the Twins before Alcides Escobar delivered a two-run single in the sixth to push Kansas City’s lead to 7-4.
Royals starter Ervin Santana allowed four runs (three earned) and five hits over six innings. Minnesota’s Kevin Correia gave up five runs and seven hits in five innings.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Giavotella went 3-for-4 in his first major-league game of the season. He was recalled when OF Jeff Francoeur was designated for assignment after Saturday’s game. … Twins C Joe Mauer was hitless in 15 at-bats in the series and his average dropped 17 points to .320. … The Royals hit seven homers in the four-game series. They had a major league-low 42 entering the set and have since passed the Miami Marlins.