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Jason Kubel hit a go-ahead homer and Jim
Thome launched his 585th career home run moments later, powering
the Minnesota Twins past the Kansas City Royals 5-4 Monday.
     

 The fifth-inning shots by Kubel and Thome kept the Twins 3½
games ahead of Chicago in the AL Central. The White Sox beat
Detroit 5-4 in 10 innings.
     


 Thome's blast hit off the top of the American flagpole beyond
the right-field bleachers at Target Field. He is one homer shy of
Frank Robinson for eighth all-time.


      The homer by Thome traveled so far and was so high, it required
multiple viewings by the Twins public relations staff to get an
accurate estimated distance. It was eventually announced at 480
feet.


      Bryan Pena led the Royals with two hits and two RBIs. Chris Getz
and Yuniesky Betancourt also drove in runs.

      With the score 2-all, Kubel hit a two-run homer off Sean
O'Sullivan (2-5). Thome connected one batter later.


      Kevin Slowey made his first start for the Twins since injuring
his right triceps on Aug. 21. He threw 77 pitches in four innings,
and allowed two runs and seven hits.


      Jeff Manship (2-0) gave up two runs in two innings. Matt Capps
needed just eight pitches in the ninth to record his 10th save in
12 chances with the Twins.


      Five different Twins relievers helped preserve the victory,
Minnesota's 17th in its last 20 home games.


      The Royals play both the Twins and the White Sox this week and
manager Ned Yost said before the game that he plans to play his
best players in each game.


      "In fairness to Minnesota and Chicago, we're playing everyone
at their best position," he said. "Of course I have guys I want
to look at and evaluate in certain situations, but we're going to
do that more after this week."


      The Royals certainly didn't look like a team that was just
playing out the string.


      After the Twins went ahead in the fifth, an RBI double from Pena
and a groundout by Betancourt made it 5-4.


      Center fielder Gregor Blanco threw out Denard Span at the plate
in the eighth, which prevented the Twins from adding a valuable
insurance run.

Gallery

Jason Kubel hit a go-ahead homer and Jim
Thome launched his 585th career home run moments later, powering
the Minnesota Twins past the Kansas City Royals 5-4 Monday.

Thome and Kubel homer as Twins beat KC

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