Nelson Cruz hit his 400th career home run, Miguel Sanó connected twice and the Twins powered past the Kansas City Royals 12-8 Sunday in the final home game on the regular season schedule.
Minnesota piled up six runs in the first inning and rolled from there, keeping a four-game lead over Cleveland for first place in the AL Central.
Cruz became the 57th player with 400 homers. His fourth-inning solo shot was also his 40th homer of the season.
Kansas City joined Baltimore, Detroit and Miami with 100 losses, only the second time in major league history there have been four 100-loss teams in one season.
Minnesota’s Martin Perez had his shortest start of the year. The lefty allowed five runs and eight hits in 2 1/3 innings. Zack Littell (6-0) earned the win.
