<p>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Whit Merrifield capped a nine-run first inning with a three-run homer and the Kansas City Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 14-5 for their fifth straight win. Merrifield started the big burst with a leadoff single and his home run ended the evening for Twins starter Matt Shoemaker. Kansas City made it 13-0 in the second. All nine Royals in batting order had already scored with no outs in the inning. Brad Keller got his third straight win. Minnesota lost its fourth in a row. Jorge Polanco, Miguel Sano and Nick Gordon homered for the Twins.</p>

Royals rout the Twins