MINNEAPOLIS— Kendrys Morales belted a two-run homer and left-hander Jason Vargas tossed six shutout innings as the Royals held off the Twins, 3-1, on Monday night at Target Field.

Kansas City moved into a tie with Minnesota for first place in the American League Central.

“We’re treating it as a big series,” Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer said. “This is a team at the top of the division right now and they’re playing good baseball. That’s how seasons work. A team is hot and we’re scuffling, but if we win the series, we can turn it around.”

Vargas gave up five hits and walked none, striking out two. He survived a shot back at him off the bat of Aaron Hicks in the fifth inning. The ball seemed to slam into Vargas’ midsection, or lower, though Vargas recovered to throw out Hicks.

“He probably reached down and saw three ... and didn’t know which one to pick up,” Royals manager Ned Yost joked afterward. “But he was fine. He bounced back fine after that.”

Righty Phil Hughes turned in a solid effort for the Twins, throwing 7 2/3 innings and giving up three earned runs. He walked one and struck out three.

Eddie Rosario hit his third homer of the season for Minnesota.

“He’s been playing really well the last couple weeks,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said. “His beginning was a little bit up and down but he seems like he’s kind of leveled off in terms of more consistency.”