KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 25 (UPI) -- Torii Hunter hit a three-run homer in a four-run third and Joe Nathan worked out of a ninth-inning jam Sunday as Minnesota beat Kansas City, 4-2.
Hunter, activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to the game, was 4-for-11 in Minnesota's first two games of the season before sustaining a right hamstring injury in an April 6 win against Cleveland.
The injury provided an opportunity for center fielder Lew Ford, who has batted .404 (20-for-49) with three homers and 15 RBI since being recalled from Class AAA Rochester of the International League.
The Twins kept Ford in center field and eased Hunter back into the lineup as the designated hitter.
The Twins scored all of their runs in the third after two were out. Ford drew a walk from Brian Anderson (1-1), Jose Offerman and Corey Koskie had singles and Hunter gave the Twins a 4-0 lead.
