MINNEAPOLIS — David Lough hit three doubles, then launched a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning that led the Kansas City Royals over the Minnesota Twins 9-8 Sunday.
Lough hit his second homer of the season, sending a solo drive off Jared Burton (1-5) into the right-field seats for an 8-7 lead.
Eric Hosmer added a solo homer in the ninth for the Royals. Johnny Giavotella had three hits.
Aaron Crow (5-3) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings. Greg Holland got his 17th save in 19 chances despite giving up a home run to Trevor Plouffe in the ninth.
Minnesota, which trailed 5-1 after four innings, got a two-run homer from Justin Morneau and an RBI double by pinch-hitter Josh Willingham to tie it at 7 in the seventh.
Ervin Santana allowed three earned runs and five hits in six innings for Kansas City. He has gone at least six innings in each of his 16 starts this season, the longest active streak in majors.
It has been a strong June for the right-hander. In six starts, he has a 1.99 ERA, limiting opponents to 27 hits and two home runs in 40 2/3 innings.
The Royals led 5-4 when Lough, the Royals’ eighth-place hitter, doubled in the sixth off reliever Ryan Pressly and took third as Giavotella blooped a double to left-center between three fielders. Alex Gordon was walked to intentionally load the bases before Alcides Escobar hit a two-run single.
Kevin Correia, the Twins’ most consistent starter, gave up five earned runs in five innings.
The Royals scored three times in the fourth. Lough hit an RBI double off the right-field wall and Giavotella had an RBI single for a 5-1 lead. Giavotella was recalled Saturday from Triple-A Omaha when the Royals designated outfielder Jeff Francoeur for assignment.
Clete Thomas homered in the Minnesota fifth.
