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Hosmer powers Royals over Twins

Jun 29, 2013 - 6:47 AM Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Eric Hosmer went 3-for-4 with two home runs, three RBI and three runs scored to power the Kansas City Royals past the Minnesota Twins, 9-3, in the second tilt of a four-game series at Target Field.

Billy Butler also finished with three hits, including a three-run homer. Mike Moustakas got in on the derby with a two-run blast for the Royals, who have won six of eight versus Minnesota this season.

A 10-start winless drought finally ended for James Shields (3-6), who surrendered three runs on eight hits while fanning five in 6 1/3 innings. Despite not being able to earn wins for himself, the Royals have won Shields' last six starts.

"This team's been grinding all season long," Shields said. "We won the last six of my games, and I have no doubt in my mind that we're just going to keep going up from here."

P.J. Walters (2-4) hasn't won one of his five starts in June. The right- hander, who has an 0-4 record this month, was tagged for six runs on six hits in three frames.

"That's two in a row where I hadn't done my job," Walters said. "Falling behind, obviously, last week it was walking guys, today it was falling behind and giving up hits. Either way it was two bad ones in a row. I've got to come back and straighten some things out.

Clete Thomas hit his second home run of the season with a solo shot. Justin Morneau and Brian Dozier each doubled in a run in the fourth inning for Twins, who have lost five of their last seven.

Butler blasted a three-run homer, his first since May 14, to straight away center in the first to give the Royals an early 3-0 lead. Alcides Escobar drew a walk and Hosmer singled to get on.

Lorenzo Cain ledoff the second with a line drive double to left. Gordon delivered a two-out single up the middle to make it a four run game.

The Royals scored for the third straight inning to begin the game on a Moustakas two-run home run to right-center field, two batters after Butler singled.

The Twins got on the board in the fourth when Morneau doubled down the right- field line to score Josh Willingham, who singled to reach base. Following a Trevor Plouffe single, Dozier delivered a two-out RBI double past the glove of third baseman Moustakas.

Hosmer's solo shot to right in the fifth made it a 7-2 game.

Thomas answered on the first pitch in the home half of the inning to bring the lead back to four.

Following a Escobar single, Hosmer smashed his second home run of the game to account for the final margin.

The Twins had the bases loaded in the eighth inning with no outs but came away empty.

Game Notes

There was a 26 minute rain delay to begin the game ... Kansas City is 26-5 when they score more 4 runs or more ... Plouffe extended his hitting streak to 10 games ... Minnesota finished 3-for-10 with runners in scoring position, while Kansas City went 2-for-5.