• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Gordon HR helps Royals sweep Twins

Jun 11, 2015 - 5:45 AM Minneapolis, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - Alex Gordon hit a three-run homer in a four-run opening frame, and Kansas City went on to best Minnesota by a 7-2 count in the finale of this three-game set.

Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain and Eric Hosmer each drove in a run for the Royals, who swept the series and have taken four in a row overall.

"We knew this was a big series," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "We had our work cut out for us...so this is a good feeling."

Edinson Volquez (5-4) struck out six over seven innings, allowing just a run on six hits with three walks.

Trevor Plouffe homered among his two hits and knocked in both runs for the Twins, losers in five of their last six.

Kyle Gibson (4-4) was charged with five runs -- four earned -- on five hits across six innings. He also fanned six and walked just two in the setback.

"I wasn't executing pitches," Gibson said. "When you don't execute against good teams, they're going to make you pay for it."

The Royals kicked around Gibson in their first turn at the plate, scoring four times and effectively locking up the game.

Alcides Escobar reached on an infield single, Moustakas walked and Hosmer singled two batters later to bring home Escobar. Following a line out by Kendrys Morales, Gordon swatted a three-run shot to right.

Plouffe's third-inning RBI single got the Twins on the board, but it was canceled out in the fifth by two separate errors on a Moustakas grounder to short which managed to score Escobar from first.

Kansas City pushed across two more in the seventh on a Moustakas RBI base hit and fielder's choice from Cain.

Plouffe greeted Luke Hochevar in the home eighth with his ninth homer of the season for a 7-2 contest, then both Torii Hunter and manager Paul Molitor were ejected in the following at-bat when the former argued a called third strike.

Jason Frasor wrapped up the game with a 1-2-3 ninth.

Game Notes

Kansas City heads into a three-game interleague set -- beginning Friday at home -- with the best record in the American League, squaring off against cross-state rival St. Louis, which holds the best record in the National League ... Volquez threw 115 pitches in his outing, the most by a single Royals starter in 2015.