KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Joe Mauer had five hits and a career-best seven RBIs and Danny Valencia went 4 for 4 with a grand slam for his first major league home run, leading Minnesota to a 19-1 rout Monday night over Kansas City.
Mauer, the 2009 American League MVP, was 5 for 5 with three singles, a double and a three-run home run that made it 17-0 in the seventh. The five hits tied his career best as the Twins set a season-high in runs and tied their season-best with 20 hits. The crowd booed in the eighth when Drew Butera pinch hit for Mauer.
Wilson Betemit's RBI double off Anthony Slama with two out in the ninth prevented the Royals from suffering their worst shutout loss ever.
