Max Kepler broke out of a 0-for-29 slump with three hits and an RBI to help lead the Minnesota Twins to a 4-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday night in Minneapolis.
Byron Buxton had two hits and Carlos Correa reached base three times with a single and two walks for Minnesota, which won for just the second time in its past seven games.
Joe Ryan (9-5) picked up the win, allowing two runs on six hits over 5 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out six. Jorge Lopez, despite allowing two hits, pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his 21st save.
Vinnie Pasquantino homered and Salvador Perez, Michael Massey and Nicky Lopez each had two hits for Kansas City. Kris Bubic (2-7) took the loss after giving up four runs on 10 hits and three walks while striking out seven over 5 2/3 innings.
Kansas City jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Perez singled and scored on Pasquantino’s eighth home run of the season, a 411-foot drive into the plaza in right field. It was the fifth homer in seven games for the reigning American League Player of the Week.
Minnesota cut it to 2-1 in the second. Jorge Polanco led off with a single, advanced to second on a single by Nick Gordon and scored one out later on a single by Kepler.
The Twins took a 3-2 lead in the fifth. Luis Arraez and Correa began the rally with back-to-back singles, and one out later, Miranda singled home Arraez. Polanco then drove in Correa with what would prove to be the winning run on a sacrifice fly.
Minnesota extended its lead in the sixth. Kepler hit a double that one-hopped the wall in right and scored on a single by Gary Sanchez.
The Royals got the tying run on base in the ninth when Ryan O’Hearn led off with a double and went to third one out later on a single by Nicky Lopez. But Jorge Lopez then induced MJ Melendez to ground into a game ending 3-6-3 double play.
–Field Level Media
The Tampa Bay Rays have owned the better part of pitching matchups through five games this season, but that could change on Wednesday in a matinee finale against the visiting…
After finally getting into the win column, the Milwaukee Brewers will turn to right-hander Freddy Peralta for the deciding game of the series against the visiting Kansas City Royals on…
The Texas Rangers and the Cincinnati Reds split the first two games of their series, each prevailing in a vastly different way. Cincinnati claimed the opener with 14 hits in…
Brewers’, Royals’ Opening Day starters look for better results
Rangers need more scoring punch in rubber game vs. Reds
MLB roundup: Rangers’ Nathan Eovaldi shuts out Reds
Dustin May helps Dodgers stay unbeaten, keep Braves winless