Cain soaks in sweet taste of walk-off success

KANSAS CITY -- Looking to quench their thirst amid a four-game losing drought, the Royals needed look no further than Lorenzo Cain, who scored the decisive run in a 3-2 walk-off win over the Twins on Friday night.

Cain, who doubled leading off the 10th inning, sprinted home on an infield chopper by Jarrod Dyson to first.

"I kind of hesitated for a second, but then I took off," Cain said. "I didn't realize how hard he hit it, so I just took a split-second to relax, see where the ball was going, then took off for home."

Cain slid headfirst around catcher Kurt Suzuki to set off a celebration that was halted briefly while the Twins challenged the call. But after a review, the run was confirmed.

"I was going headfirst slide to the outside regardless," Cain said. "I'm trying to stay as far as possible away from the catcher."

Video: MIN@KC: Dyson and Cain discuss Royals' comeback win

Cain, laughing, later thanked Dyson in the clubhouse for giving the ball some hop on the run-scoring hit.

"We definitely needed this win," Cain said. "About four in a row, definitely tough to go through, but at the same time, we continued to fight and found a way to get it done in the 10th."

Cain was active in the win long before the 10th, though, giving the Royals an early lead with a two-out RBI knock to left field in the third inning. He also scored the tying run in the eighth inning.

Video: MIN@KC: Cain ties the game with an RBI single

After reaching on a single to center, Cain stole second base -- his 16th of the season -- which helped him reach third on a groundout from Eric Hosmer in the next at-bat. Cain scored when Kendrys Morales singled to right field.

"Lorenzo had an awesome night, stealing bases, scoring on a contract play there to win it for us," manager Ned Yost said. "And offensively, boy, he's really swinging it good."