Morneau Blasts Twins Past Royals

Justin Morneau hit his first home run of the season and drove in four runs, and Livan Hernandez won his second straight start for the Minnesota Twins, a 6-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals today. Hernandez (2-0) pitched seven solid innings as the Twins won their second consecutive game against the Royals, who started the season 3-0. Joe Nathan picked up his third save.

Morneau, Minnesota's one true slugger, was 1-for-17 heading into his second at-bat of the day before launching an arching shot to right-center to put Minnesota up 3-2. Hernandez did the rest as the 12-year veteran has now lasted seven innings in each of his outings with the Twins, averaging 79 pitches, and hasn't walked a batter. He gave up only two runs in Minnesota's season-opening victory against Los Angeles. (More MLB stories.)