Jones Leads Twins to Fifth in a Row

When Minnesota lost Torii Hunter and Joe Mauer to injuries, Manager Ron Gardenhire asked his players to come together as team.

They have responded with five consecutive victories.

Jacque Jones had two doubles, a triple and four runs batted in, and the Twins beat the Kansas City Royals, 8-3, Sunday to complete a three-game sweep at Minneapolis.

“Nothing surprises me in this clubhouse, these guys can play,” Gardenhire said. “They’re into it, pulling for each other, and we’re having some fun out there.”

Lew Ford, playing in place of Hunter, made three great plays in center field while driving in his seventh run in five games.

The Twins’ camaraderie was also evident in a pregame ceremony in which Hunter gave his 2003 Gold Glove award to Jerry White, thanking the first base coach for helping him throughout his major league career.

“I had tears in my eyes earlier, and I’m still in shock,” White said of Hunter’s gesture. “I am so happy for him, and I thought it was a great gift to give someone.”

Kansas City has lost six in a row.

Seattle 4, Texas 2 -- Raul Ibanez hit a two-run homer, and Bret Boone and Scott Spiezio added solo shots at Seattle. Joel Pineiro (1-1) gave up two runs, six hits and four walks in 6 2/3 innings and struck out five, a strong recovery after he got roughed up in his first two starts after signing a $14.5-million, three-year contract.

Cleveland 9, Detroit 7 -- Matt Lawton hit two homers, scored four runs and drove in four to lead the Indians at Cleveland. Carlos Guillen homered and had four RBIs for Detroit, which lost center fielder Alex Sanchez because of a strained left groin in the seventh inning.

Baltimore 7, Toronto 0 -- Eric DuBose, B.J. Ryan and Buddy Groom combined on a four-hitter at Toronto. The Blue Jays fell to 0-6 at home and 3-9 overall, matching the worst start in club history. Toronto has been outscored, 43-11, at the SkyDome.

Chicago 5, Tampa Bay 0 -- Esteban Loaiza pitched a two-hitter at Tampa, Fla. Jose Valentin and Paul Konerko hit solo homers for the White Sox, who improved to 8-4 -- their best start since 1992.