--DH Craig Monroe had not played in four days when he was summoned to pinch hit in the ninth inning Wednesday, and he was in an 0-for-17 slump. But Monroe, who had been working on eliminating a kick-step to his stride, had stayed loose in a batting cage near the dugout, and he was ready to unveil his swing when called upon. After taking three consecutive balls, Monroe swung at three straight pitches, fouling the first one off, missing the second one altogether, then connecting with the third one, sending it into the Kauffman Stadium seats for a game-tying, three-run home run.
--RHP Livan Hernandez had allowed four runs over 14 innings in two April starts against the Royals, but Kansas City was ready for him Wednesday. Hernandez surrendered 10 hits in the first three innings alone, and he left in the seventh inning having been charged with eight runs. That makes 14 runs, 11 of them earned, in his last two starts, although the veteran avoided taking the loss in either game. --RHP Jesse Crain faced only two batters Wednesday, allowing an infield hit, but he earned a victory for the second consecutive night. Like Tuesday, Crain was the pitcher of record when the Twins scored in extra innings, this time on a Justin Morneau home run. Crain is now 6-2 lifetime against the Royals.
--2B Alexi Casilla hit a flyball in the third inning that brought Mike Lamb home with the Twins' second run, marking the fifth consecutive day that the infielder has driven in a run. Casilla, who now has 12 RBIs in 12 games this season, has driven in a run in eight of his last nine games.
--3B Mike Lamb tied a season high with three hits, raising his average -- which stood at .218 just a week ago -- to .252. Lamb also drove in two runs, giving him 22 on the season and moving him past Joe Mauer into third place (behind Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel) on the Twins.
BY THE NUMBERS: 1 -- Twins pitchers who have collected base hits in the Metrodome. Bobby Korecky became the first in the stadium's 27-year history when he singled in the 10th inning on May 19.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I told Joe, 'You put the fingers down and I'll throw it.' I've never shaken Joe off once." -- LHP Glen Perkins, on the pitch-calling ability of C Joe Mauer.
