Offensive Awakening Leads Twins To Series Win Over KC

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins logged 14 hits -- including two big home runs -- in a series-clinching 8-5 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday afternoon.

Twins starter Tommy Milone settled down after a rough first inning in which the Royals tagged him for two runs. Milone finished the game pitching 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and striking out three to improve to 2-0 on the season.

Trailing 2-0 in the second inning, the Twins tied the game on a two-run shot by slugger Kennys Vargas off of Royals starter Jason Vargas.

Torii Hunter went 3-for-5 at the plate including a double and Joe Mauer finished the game with three RBI in the win.

Catcher Kurt Suzuki added a cherry-on-top in the bottom of the eighth inning with a two-run home run to extend the Twins lead to 8-3.

Minnesota reliever Brian Duensing allowed two Royals runs in the ninth before giving way to closer Glen Perkins, who shut down Kansas City's hopes for a comeback and earned his second save in as many games.

With the win, the Twins improve to 3-6 on the season and will host the Cleveland Indians for a three game series starting tomorrow night.

The Twins are scheduled to send Mike Pelfrey to the mound against Indians ace Corey Kluber for a 7:10 p.m. start.