Royals 7, Twins 2
Royals 7, Twins 2: Mike Moustakas belted a pair of homers and drove in four runs as visiting Kansas City extended its season-high winning streak to seven games.
Ervin Santana (7-6) worked seven strong innings and Eric Hosmer collected three hits and an RBI for the Royals, who improved to 9-2 since the All-Star break.
Miguel Tejada forged a 1-1 tie in the third with a two-out RBI single and Moustakas followed with a three-run blast off Mike Pelfrey (4-9) to put Kansas City ahead for good. Moustakas completed his second career two-homer performance with a solo shot in the eighth.
Santana yielded two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out eight en route to his fourth win in five decisions. The 30-year-old right-hander has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 10 of 11 starts since the beginning of June.
Pelfrey was tagged for four runs and eight hits in only four innings. Joe Mauer and Ryan Doumit each plated a run for the Twins, who have lost four of six.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Moustakas' other two-homer effort came on June 24, 2012 against St. Louis. ... Mauer went 2-for-4 in his return to the lineup. The All-Star C missed the previous six games to be with his wife for the birth of their twins. ... Royals OF Lorenzo Cain missed his second straight game with tightness in his left groin.