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Hunter, Silva lead Twins past Royals

Aug 1, 2007 - 3:27 AM MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The trading deadline came and left on Tuesday without any help in the form of offense for the Minnesota Twins. So the offense helped itself.

Torii Hunter's home run highlighted a four-run second inning and Carlos Silva did the rest as the Twins topped the Kansas City Royals, 5-3.

Minnesota got off to an early start against Kansas City starter Jorge De La Rosa (8-11), sending nine to the plate in the second - a frame which featured two errors.

"We need to play with more heart and less players," Silva said. "That's what we need, we don't need players. We need that attitude in the field."

Hunter started the rally with a solo home run - his 22nd of the season and first since July 23.

After Mike Redmond followed with a walk and Jeff Cirillo fielder's choice landed him at second base because of Mark Grudzielanek's throwing error, Lew Ford singled and catcher Jason LaRue could not hang on to the ball as he tagged Cirillo's leg, allowing the run to score. Ford reached second as LaRue was charged with a fielding error, then stole third base.

Alexi Casilla hit a line drive at shortstop Tony Pena Jr., who made a leaping effort but could not keep the ball in his glove. Pena retrieved the ball from behind him and threw home to make a play on Ford, but LaRue was unable handle the short hop and Ford slid in safely.

"I think that De La Rosa deserved better," Royals manager Buddy Bell said. "He should've gotten out of there with a run or two at the most."

Casilla, playing in his first game since April 28 after he was called up following the Luis Castillo trade on Monday, scored two batters later on Jason Bartlett's double, capping the Twins rally and giving them a 4-0 advantage.

"You score runs for them and that opens it up for a pitcher and they can let it go, attack the strike zone a little more than pitching in those 0-0 games or 1-1 games," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

"That's the secret here. If we can take some pressure off our starting pitchers and put some runs on the board early in ballgames and give them a little bit of a breather, you'll see them relax a little bit and throw the ball."

Silva (9-11) certainly looked relaxed. He had his best outing since June 23, allowing two runs and seven hits with no walks and three strikeouts to give Minnesota its fourth straight victory.

Silva, who was 2-1 despite a 5.89 ERA over his last three starts, pitched his longest outing since a June 13 shutout against the Atlanta Braves.

"That changed the whole game," Silva said. "For me, I feel way more comfortable because I know I have the score behind me. For me, it's a big difference."

Joe Nathan gave up a solo blast to Mark Grudzielanek in the ninth but still managed to register his 24th save of the season in 26 chances.

Minnesota added a run in the fourth inning when Ford doubled and later scored when Jason Tyner grounded into a double play. De La Rosa struggled for the third time in his last four outings.

The lefthander was relieved after six innings, surrendering five runs on eight hits and two walks. De La Rosa has now posted a 1-2 record in his last four starts with a 7.11 ERA.

The 26-year-old Mexican walked 12 batters and allowed five home runs in 19 innings over that stretch. LaRue and Jason Smith each hit solo home runs for the Royals, who have lost two in a row following a four-game winning streak.

Kansas City has now lost three of its last four road games, but is 9-6 in its last 15 contests away from Kauffman Stadium.