MINNEAPOLIS -- Right fielder Chris Colabello drove in three runs and Kyle Gibson fired 6 1/3 innings of one-run ball to lead the Twins to their first home victory of the season -- 10-1 win over the Royals on Friday night.
Minnesota held a slim 2-1 lead heading into the fourth before chasing Kansas City starter Bruce Chen during a five-run explosion.
Designated hitter Josmil Pinto led off with a towering blast to left for his second homer of the season. Later, with runners on first and second, Joe Mauer laced a single to right to drive in his first run of the season. Colabello capped the scoring with a two-run double down the left-field line.
 
Colabello, Gibson lead Twins past Royals 10-1
 
Gibson looked shaky early, as he allowed a run and needed 28 pitches to get through the first. He could've escaped the inning unscathed had Pedro Florimon not bobbled a potential 6-4-3 double-play ball.
Minnesota's tall right-hander ran into trouble in the seventh, surrendering a single and a walk to start the inning before exiting to a standing ovation after fanning Alcides Escobar. Reliever Brian Duensing entered to induce a flyout and infield popout to squelch the rally.
Gibson improved to 2-0 and lowered his ERA to 1.63. His performance provided the first managerial victory for acting skipper Terry Steinbach, who's filling in for Ron Gardenhire while he attends a funeral.
Colabello continued to be an offensive force in the cleanup spot and improved his team-leading RBI total to 14. With a 2-for-3 night, he bumped his season average to .307.
Trevor Plouffe went 3-for-4, including an RBI single off of Kelvin Herrera to cap the scoring in the eighth.
Kerry Walls /MLB.com
 

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