The Minnesota Twins needed 11 innings do it, but they managed to grab a needed win on Friday night against the Kansas City Royals. A base hit in extra innings gave the Twins a 2-1 win, only their third win in eight games since the All-Star break.
In the top of the 11th, Joe Mauer opened things with a double. Josh Willingham drove him in with a single that stood up as the game winner. Glen Perkins worked the bottom of the inning for his fifth save. Casey Fein picked up the win.
Nick Blackburn started for the Twins, pitching an effective game after giving up six earned runs in each of his last two starts. In six and two thirds innings, Blackburn allowed just one run on seven hits, striking out two and issuing no free passes.
The Twins and Royals play another one on Saturday, with a 7:05 p.m. Eastern start time. Scott Diamond makes his 14th start of the season in that game, looking for his fourth win in his last five outings.
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