MLB: Kansas City 8, Minnesota 1

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Billy Butler and Mike Aviles hit home runs and the Kansas City Royals pounded out 16 hits Friday to overwhelm Minnesota 8-1.

The Twins, one night after moving in front of the American League Central, showed little life against five Kansas City pitchers.

Minnesota, however, kept its half-game lead over Chicago in the Central Division race when the White Sox lost to Cleveland. If no more than a half game separates the Twins and White Sox after Sunday's games, Chicago will be forced to play a makeup game with Detroit Monday.

Should the two contenders wind up tied after all that, they would have to meet each other in a one-game playoff.

Kansas City jumped on starter Francisco Liriano (6-4) for four runs in the third -- two of them coming in on a single by Ryan Shealy.

The Royals expanded their lead in the fifth on Butler's two-run homer and again in the sixth on Aviles' solo shot.

Kyle Davies (9-7) got the win by going six innings while allowing four hits and striking out eight.