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Sports

Royals score five runs in first to top Twins

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

Kansas City, MO – The Royals scored five runs in the first inning and the Kansas City Royals defeated the Minnesota Twins, 7-4, in an American League Central matchup on Tuesday.

Alcides Escobar, Billy Butler, Mike Moustakas, Salvador Perez, Eric Hosmer and Jeff Francoeur drove in a run apiece for the Royals, who saw Jeremy Guthrie (2-0) allow four runs on six hits over 6 2/3 innings.

"I fell behind a lot of guys," said Guthrie. "When I did I gave them real hittable pitches to drive it. Our offense picked us up today. They swung the bat very early and got that big lead. We were able to hold on."

Eduardo Escobar knocked a solo home run and had two RBI while Joe Mauer and Josh Willingham also hit solo shots for the Twins. Starter Mike Pelfrey (1-1) lasted just two innings and surrendered six runs on eight hits.

"They (the Royals) kicked my butt," said Pelfrey. "When I made a mistake, they hit it. I give all the credit to them. I'll come back and work my butt off and I'll get ready for the next one."

Joe Mauer put up the first score when he hit a one-out homer in the first.

In the bottom of the inning, after singles by Alex Gordon and Alcides Escobar, Butler doubled, bringing Gordon home. Moustakas followed that with a single, plating Escobar. Perez then doubled and Butler reached home. Hosmer then hit a ground out to the shortstop, but was able to bring Moustakas home. Francoeur struck out next, but Cain singled to center, plating Perez.

Eduardo Escobar singled with two outs in the second to knock in Plouffe, who doubled to lead off the inning.

After a leadoff triple by Gordon in the bottom of the inning, Escobar singled, easily bringing Gordon home.

Willingham's home run in the third cut the deficit to 6-3.

Francoeur had an RBI double in the home half for the Royals, scoring Hosmer, who reached home from first base.

Minnesota tacked on one more run in the fifth. Eduardo Escobar had a leadoff home run on a 2-2 pitch.

Todd Collins and Greg Holland combined for 2 1/3 innings of two-hit shutout relief to seal the win.

Game Notes

Anthony Swarzak pitched four innings of relief for the Twins, giving up one run on two hits ... Pelfrey made his first career appearance against the Twins ... The Royals have won 12 of their last 13 games when Guthrie is starting dating back to August last season.