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PrintKANSAS CITY — Justin Morneau had two hits and three RBIs and Brad Radke allowed two runs over eight innings to lead the Minnesota Twins to an 8-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night.
Morneau, who is tied for second in the American League with 91 RBIs, had an RBI single in the first and a two-run single in the second.
Radke (10-8), a questionable starter because of a tender shoulder, gave up four hits, walked one and struck out six. After starting the season 4-6 with a 7.44 ERA, Radke has gone 6-2 with a 2.76 ERA in his past 13 starts.
Shoddy defense by the Royals helped the Twins early.
In the second, Jason Tyner scored on a wild pitch by Jorge de la Rosa (1-1). Then, with the bases loaded, Mourneau drove in two with the single to center and Michael Cuddyer, who had been on first, scored when shortstop Andres Blanco held the ball and was charged with an error.
In the third, Josh Rabe reached on a two-base throwing error by Blanco. He went to third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch by Todd Wellemeyer.
De la Rosa, making his second start after being acquired in a July 25 trade with Milwaukee, retired only four of the 12 hitters he faced. He gave up six runs, five earned, four hits and four walks in 11/3 innings. He threw 27 strikes in 54 pitches before being replaced by Wellemeyer. All four batters de la Rosa walked scored.
The Royals scored their first run in the fourth when Mark Grudzielanek, who singled to lead off the inning to extend his hitting streak to 10 games, scored on a sacrifice fly by Shane Costa.
After walking Mark Teahen in the fourth, Radke retired 14 straight hitters until Joey Gathright doubled with two outs in the eighth. He scored on a single by David DeJesus.
Rabe hit his third home run in the seventh off Leo Nunez.
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