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Royals use big inning to beat Twins

Apr 20, 2014 - 12:21 AM Kansas City, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - The Kansas City Royals used a five-run fourth inning to beat the Minnesota Twins, 5-4, in the middle game of a three- game series.

Omar Infante, Nori Aoki, Justin Maxwell and Mike Moustakas each had an RBI for the Royals, who have won five in a row. Alex Gordon went 3-for-4 with a run scored.

Kansas City starter Bruce Chen (1-1) allowed four runs on eight hits with six strikeouts and four walks over five innings. He was scheduled to pitch Thursday but was scratched due to back stiffness.

Kurt Suzuki hit a solo homer and knocked in three runs for the Twins, who went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded eight. Aaron Hicks added an RBI.

Minnesota starter Kevin Correia (0-2) gave up five runs -- four earned -- on nine hits over six full frames.

"We're a starting staff that pitches to contact. We pride ourselves on making plays," Correia said. "These guys are going to come back and play good defense."

The Twins jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Chris Colabello and Jason Kubel singled before Josmil Pinto walked to load the bases. After Suzuki flied out for the first out, Hicks walked to force in a run. Pedro Florimon grounded into a double play to end the frame.

Suzuki homered to left in the fourth, making it 2-0 Minnesota.

Kansas City did its damage in the bottom half of the inning. Gordon led off with a single, moved to third on Billy Butler's double and scored on Moustakas' sacrifice fly. Butler raced home on Maxwell's single to center. After Alcides Escobar was hit by a pitch, Aoki and Infante hit consecutive RBI singles. With Eric Hosmer batting, Aoki and Infante pulled off a double steal. Aoki then raced home on Pinto's throwing error.

The Twins responded with two runs in the fifth. With the bases loaded and two outs, Suzuki hit a two-run single to center. Hicks grounded into a fielder's choice to keep it 5-4.

Minnesota, however, failed to get anything going against Kansas City's bullpen. Danny Duffy, Wade Davis and Greg Holland were dominant over the final four innings.

"I think we're learning to keep those struggles to a minimum," Holland said, "and that's part of winning baseball, learning how to get out of the skids quicker so you don't lose three, four or five games straight."

Game Notes

Minnesota fell to 3-2 against Kansas City this season ... Chen improved to 5-7 lifetime against the Twins ... Minnesota first baseman Joe Mauer celebrated his 31st birthday on Saturday ... The Royals went 3-for-13 with RISP and stranded eight.