Royals 7, Twins 2
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Kansas City Royals got a bunch of early offense then took advantage of three Minnesota Twins errors in a 7-2 win at Target Field on Wednesday.
The victory extended the Royals winning streak to four games as Kansas City swept the Twins and moved two games ahead of them for first place in the American League Central Division standings.
Right-hander Edinson Volquez pitched seven innings of one-run ball, throwing a season-high 115 pitches -- the most by any Royals pitcher in a game this season. Volquez (5-4) allowed six hits, walked three and struck out six, lowering his ERA this season to 3.07.
Twins righty Kyle Gibson (4-4) lost for the first time since May 17, allowing five runs, four of them earned, on five hits and two walks in six innings of work. Gibson struck out six and has now fanned 15 batters over his last two starts; he struck out a total of 30 over his first 10 starts this season.
Kansas City scored first, posting a four-spot in the first inning against Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson.
For the second consecutive night, the first two batters reached base. First baseman Eric Hosmer followed with an RBI single, and left fielder Alex Gordon hit a three-run blast on a full count with two outs.
The four-run inning nearly matched the Royals' offensive output from the first two games combined (five runs).
The Twins pieced together three singles in the third inning to get on the board, scoring on a hit up the middle by third baseman Trevor Plouffe to make it 4-1.
The Royals got the run back in the fifth thanks to a pair of Twins miscues on one play. After a one-out single to center by shortstop Alcides Escobar, third baseman Mike Moustakas followed with a sharp grounder to Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco. The ball eluded Polanco and skipped into right field, where Torii Hunter picked it up and flipped a wild throw back to the infield. Escobar, who advanced to third in the initial error, scored on Hunter's misplay, extending the lead to 5-1.
NOTES: The Royals will not have to make a decision on a backup catcher until Thursday because it is a travel day for Triple-A Omaha, where C Erik Kratz was playing. It is believed C Drew Butera, acquired from the Los Angeles Angels on May 7, has the inside track to keep the spot behind All-Star Salvador Perez. ... Twins SS Jorge Polanco got the start and batted ninth one day after being recalled from Double-A Chattanooga. ... After an off-day Thursday, the Royals will begin a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday at Busch Stadium. ... The Twins are also off Thursday before opening a five-game road trip Friday at the Texas Rangers.