Soler's 2 homers helps to power Royals to 9-6 win over Twins

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — One of these days, Royals manager Mike Matheny hopes to see Jorge Soler smile when he trots around the bases.

It didn't happen after either of Soler's two homers Saturday night.

Maybe if he didn't just miss on another one that was caught at the warning track.

The slugging outfielder's big power output included a three-run shot during ago-ahead six-run fourth inning, when Nicky Lopez and Salvador Perez also went deep, and helped to push Kansas City to a 9-6 victory over the Minnesota Twins that clinched its first winning series against the AL Central rivals since September 2018.

“It's my goal to get him to smile one time when he comes around. That has to be fun to be able to do that,” said Matheny, whose club has won three straight on the heels of a six-game slide. “I'm sure he must be smiling on the inside.”

Soler and Perez went back-to-back for the second time this season, and it was the first time the Royals hit three homers in an inning since Aug. 19, 2018, against the White Sox. Lopez's two-run shot came off Lewis Thorpe (0-1) and tied the game.

Tyler Zuber (1-1) earned the win in relief of Danny Duffy. Trevor Rosenthal got four outs for his second straight save.

“The bullpen once again came in and did a fantastic job for us,” Matheny said, “but that inning where we give up four and we come right back and take six, that's special, and that sort of thing can carry a club for a while, knowing you have that kind of talent and that kind of ability. The three home runs are huge right there.”

Nelson Cruz, Byron Buxton and Max Kepler went deep for the Twins, who lost the series opener in a 3-2 pitching duel.

This one was decided by the long ball.

Soler began the show with his homer leading off the third against former Royals...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Soler-s-2-homers-helps-to-power-Royals-to-9-6-win-15469909.php