MINNEAPOLIS -- It looks as if the Minnesota Twins are finally coming around at the plate.Max Kepler homered twice and set a Twins rookie record by driving in seven runs, helping Minnesota rout the Texas Rangers 17-5 on Saturday.The Twins entered the game having scored the fewest runs in the American League. But they hit six homers last Sunday in a win at Yankee Stadium, and then they averaged five runs in a three-game series at the White Sox.And Saturday was pretty nice, too.Eduardo Nunez had four hits for the Twins, who scored at least three runs in four of the first five innings. Keplers second home run of the day capped a six-run fifth inning and gave the Twins a 17-4 lead.We know the struggles offensively arent going to be all year long, Nunez said. It has to change at some point.Texas right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez (0-1) recorded just two outs in his second start of the season. Gonzalez walked two batters and gave up two hits in Minnesotas four-run first. He also was hurt by poor defense, with misplays on three consecutive batters extending the inning.Rangers manager Jeff Banister pulled him after 38 pitches.You get into a situation like that -- young kid, could have pushed him to one more hitter, Banister said. Wherever that takes him, hes out of that game anyway. Im going to protect him.Cesar Ramos replaced Gonzalez and was charged with seven runs in 2 1/3 innings as the Twins worked their way through the Texas bullpen. The Rangers finally turned to backup catcher Bryan Holaday for the last four outs.Tyler Duffey (4-6) was the beneficiary of the outburst, pitching six innings for his second straight win. He gave up four runs and eight hits, including long home runs by Ryan Rua and Robinson Chirinos in the fourth inning.Minnesota slugger Miguel Sano launched a two-run drive into the second deck in left field in the second inning. His 12th homer of the season was his first since returning from a hamstring injury that sidelined him throughout June.Sano was one of three players who shared the previous team rookie record with six RBI. And apparently he wasnt eager to yield the title to Kepler.Sano was telling me during the game that he had eight, so I was a little bummed out about that, Kepler said. But everybody on the bench was like, `No he didnt.Im honored today to even have achieved something like that, Kepler added. But lets keep it going.SAN DIEGO BOUND?Nunez is making a strong argument for an invitation to his first All-Star Game. He led off the first and second with doubles, hit a sacrifice fly in the third inning and singled in the fifth and sixth. He is hitting a team-high .322 with 11 homers, 34 RBI, 42 runs scored and 18 stolen bases.But the seven-year veteran isnt letting the upcoming All-Star announcements distract him.I dont want to put anything in my mind yet, Nunez said. I have no control over that. The only control I have is to play well and do my thing and help the team to win.ROUGH STARTThe Rangers had a rocky first inning with fielding gaffes on three straight plays that led to four runs. With two on and one out, Gonzalez snagged Brian Doziers comebacker, but Rougned Odor dropped the throw to second base, erasing the chance for an inning-ending double play. Kepler then grounded softly to first baseman Mitch Moreland, who threw home too late to force Nunez.Finally, Eduardo Escobar hit a potential double-play grounder, but shortstop Elvis Andrus dropped Odors feed. He recovered in time to retire Kepler, but that opened the door for Juan Centenos two-run single.TRAINERS ROOMTwins: RHP Trevor May (back) pitched a scoreless inning for Triple-A Rochester in his injury rehab assignment on Friday. General manager Terry Ryan said that May would pitch again on Saturday night, his first time pitching on consecutive days since he was put on the DL on June 10. Ryan said May is relatively close to returning to the Twins 25-man roster. . SS Escobar left with a strained left hamstring. He is day to dayUP NEXTRangers LHP Cole Hamels has won four straight starts, giving up just two earned runs in 27 2/3 innings. Hell look to extend that streak on Sunday against Minnesotas Kyle Gibson, who earned his first win of the season on Tuesday. Gibson pitched seven innings in a 4-0 win over the White Sox. Curtis Samuel Jersey . 1 position. The Mustangs (6-0), who beat Queens 50-31 last weekend, earned 17 first-place votes and 287 points in voting by the Football Reporters of Canada. Western was last ranked first in the country in October 2011. DJ Moore Panthers Jersey . LOUIS -- Valtteri Filppula assisted on three of Tampa Bays four goals, and the Lightning beat the St. http://www.shoppanthersonline.us/panthers-luke-kuechly-blue-jersey/ . Note: The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that Sean Monahan would not be made available to Canadas World Junior team. Christian Miller Youth Jersey . Radwanska, making her debut in the Seoul tournament, hit eight aces in a match that lasted 1 hour, 4 minutes at Olympic Park tennis stadium. "It was definitely a very good match -- I was playing really good tennis," Radwanska said. Cam Newton Jersey . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Tuesday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EST:- Voting can get complicated for pro athletes. Many work in a state other than the one they call home. Some teams and athletes are trying to make sure that those who want to vote have the information they need.- SEATTLE -- Richard Sherman spent last week criticizing what he believed was incorrect calls by NFL officials, only to be at the center of another officiating mistake Monday night that this time went Seattles way.- Halfway through the season, a lot of NFL assistants already have lost their jobs. Safe to say several head coaches will suffer the same fate unless there teams turn things around.- A new team will be joining the top four of the College Football Playoff rankings when the selection committee releases its Top 25. Will it be unbeaten Washington, Ohio State or Louisville? Rankings released about 7:10 p.m.- Even if Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson wins the Heisman Trophy in a landslide vote, a slew of finalists might be at the Dec. 10 award presentation in New York. There are always at least three finalists.- When searching for a new football coach, schools often look to up-and-comers like Tom Herman or P.J. Fleck -- perhaps the next big thing. That limits the options for veterans with years of success, such as Les Miles.- KENT,, Ohio -- In the lone Top 25 college football game Tuesday night, No.dddddddddddd 14 Western Michigan, one of only five unbeaten teams, plays Kent State. Game starts 7:30 p.m.- Last season in college basketball was the Year of the Senior. But this year could offer the best freshman class since the 2007-08 season featured Derrick Rose, James Harden and Blake Griffin.- SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Baseball general managers gather on the first full day of their annual session.- SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Theo Epstein of the Chicago Cubs is voted baseballs executive of the year days after the team he designed ended a championship drought lasting more than a century.- PITTSBURGH -- Rising Edmonton star Connor McDavid faces childhood idol Sidney Crosby for the first time when the Oilers play the Penguins. Crosby has eight goals in six games since returning from a concussion. Game starts 7 p.m.- WASHINGTON -- Off to a 1-5 start, new head coach Scott Brooks, All-Star point guard John Wall and the rest of the Washington Wizards think they know the path to better play and more victories: defense.- MANCHESTER, England -- Jose Mourinho has always picked fights, but now hes taking on his own players in the latest episode to his turbulent start as Manchester United manager. ' ' '