MLB: Kansas City 9, Minnesota 1

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MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Lorenzo Cain and Alcides Escobar each hit two-run triples and Will Smith fired seven shutout innings Tuesday in Kansas City's 9-1 rout of Minnesota.

Cain's triple in the second inning put the Royals ahead 3-0 and Escobar's eighth-inning three-bagger highlighted a four-run outburst that powered Kansas City to a victory in the opener of a three-game set.

Eric Hosmer went 3-for-5 with a homer and three runs scored while Salvador Perez added two hits and a sacrifice for the Royals.

Smith (5-7) scattered seven hits, walking three and striking out seven en route to the win.

Twins starter Scott Diamond (11-7) was tagged for 10 hits over six full frames, allowing four runs.

Ryan Doumit drove in Minnesota's only run.