Twins hammer KC, lead Sox by 4 1/2 games, Thome homers

  

MINNEAPOLIS—Jim Thome has found a band of brothers in Minnesota. He’s showing off his big swing like the oldest sibling.Thome hit another towering homer, Delmon Young drove in four runs and the Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 10-3 on Tuesday night to take their largest AL Central lead in 10 days.Francisco Liriano (13-7) raised his second-half record to 7-0 in 10 starts, giving up seven hits and two runs in seven easy innings. J.J. Hardy had three RBIs for the Twins, who scored six times in the third against Brian Bannister (7-12) and moved 4 1/2 games ahead of the White Sox in the division race. “You hope the good times last as long as they can,” Thome said. The White Sox lost to Detroit 9-1, ending their seven-game winning streak. The Twins have won five straight, 10 of their last 12 and 33 of 45.