Royals 13, Twins 0
Eric Hosmer went 3-for-5 with a homer and drove in a career-best five runs as host Kansas City routed Minnesota for its 12th win in 13 games.
Jeremy Guthrie (12-7) tossed his second career shutout and Mike Moustakas recorded his second four-hit performance in the major leagues as the Royals improved to 14-3 since the All-Star break. Kansas City climbed within four games of Texas for the American League’s second wild-card spot.
Hosmer delivered a two-run single during Kansas City’s six-run second inning against Twins starter Kevin Correia (7-8) and smacked a three-homer to center field off reliever Ryan Pressly in the sixth to boost the lead to 9-0.
Moustakas also hit a two-run single in the second-inning uprising while Alcides Escobar added one of his own in a four-run seventh that increased the lead to 13. The Royals finished with 16 hits while improving to 11-3 against Minnesota this season.
Guthrie struck out seven and allowed four hits and one walk while winning his fourth consecutive start and setting a career high for victories. Correia surrendered six runs and seven hits in just two innings, marking the second time in three starts he was pulled prior to the third frame.
GAME NOTEBOOK: INF Jamey Carroll pitched the bottom of the eighth for Minnesota, retiring the side in order on nine pitches. … Both of Guthrie’s shutouts have come this season. The other was a four-hitter against the Chicago White Sox on May 4. … Twins SS Pedro Florimon (wrist) missed his third straight game.