Billy Butler, one of six Kansas City players to drive in a run Thursday, had two RBI and the Royals extended their winning streak with a 7-2 win over Minnesota.
Kansas City hasn’t lost since July 22, a span of nine games that mark the longest winning streak for the Royals since they opened the 2003 season 9-0. The Twins have lost four straight, with Kansas City sweeping the three-game series.
The Royals’ pitching staff has allowed just 15 runs in the winning streak, including a two-run, five-hit effort Thursday.
Kansas City starter James Shields (6-7) gave up all five hits and both runs with Joe Mauer getting one run in one on a force out and Justin Morneau hitting a home run. Both Minnesota runs came in the third.
The Royals were already up 3-0 before that, however, with Mike Moustakas and just-acquired Justin Maxwell knocking in runs in the second and Eric Hosmer adding a sacrifice fly in the third.
Alcides Escobar got an RBI in the fourth and Miguel Tejada sent home another in the fifth. Butler finished things off with a two-run single in the sixth as Kansas City scored runs in five consecutive innings.
Nine Kansas City hits and all of the runs came against Twins starter Scott Diamond (5-10), who lasted five-plus innings
