The Twins gifted Gibson with 10 runs in the first two innings, including a four-run opening frame against Royals left-hander Onelki Garcia. In his first Major League start, Garcia recorded just one out and allowed four runs. Garcia faced six batters, allowing five to reach. Rookie Andres Machado, who followed Garcia, lasted just two-thirds of an inning, giving up four hits and six runs in his Major League debut
Minnesota tacked on six runs in the second, sparked by Joe Mauer's RBI single against Machado. Mauer finished 4-for-4 with two RBIs. Brian Dozier launched a three-run homer in the fourth, while Eduardo Escobar clubbed a solo shot in the fifth and a three-run homer in the seventh.