Pitching problems cost Royals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Corey Koskie drove in three runs and Alex Prieto hit his first major league home run for the Minnesota Twins in a 8-3 victory against the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

Kyle Lohse (2-4) allowed three runs and nine hits in five-plus innings for his first victory in eight starts.

Prieto, a rookie infielder, hit a two-run home run in the fourth off Jimmy Gobble

(2-3) following an RBI single by Henry Blanco.

Minnesota avoided getting swept in Kansas City for the first time in 10 years.

The Royals took two of three from both Detroit and the Twins.

“Any time you win four out of six, it is a good homestand,” Royals manager Tony Pena said. “I’ll never be satisfied. I am just happy to see our ballclub playing better baseball right now.”

Gobble, a rookie left-hander, lost for the third time in four decisions. Gobble, 22, gave up six runs and eight hits in 32/3 innings.

Matt Stairs hit an RBI double in the fourth for the Royals, and Benito Santiago hit a home run to lead off the fifth.