SB Nation Minnesota - Twins Defeat Royals, 4-2, To Stop Slidehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48959/mn-fave.png2010-09-29T22:59:21-05:00http://minnesota.sbnation.com/rss/stream/14800232010-09-29T22:59:21-05:002010-09-29T22:59:21-05:00Twins Stop Losing Streak At Five With 4-2 Win In Kansas City
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<p>(Sports Network) – <span>Delmon Young</span> hit the go-ahead homer in the seventh and added an <span class="caps">RBI</span> single in the ninth, as the American League Central champion <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a> snapped a five-game skid with a 4-2 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a>.</p>
<p><span>Drew Butera</span> and <span>Alexi Casilla</span> each had an <span class="caps">RBI</span> for the Twins, who avoided their first six-game skid since May 15-20, 2009. Minnesota also steered clear of being swept in back-to-back series for the first time since July 8-13, 2003.</p>
<p><span>Scott Baker</span> went five innings in the start, allowing two runs on six hits. He also struck out nine and walked four. <span>Matt Guerrier</span> (5-7) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless frames to pick up the win.</p>
<p>Minnesota (93-65) is going for the best record in the American League. The AL East-leading <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> have a record of 94-64.</p>
<p>Kila Ka’aihue hit a solo homer for the Royals, who got an <span class="caps">RBI</span> from <span>Lucas May</span>. <span>Luke Hochevar</span> gave up two runs on seven hits over six frames. <span>Gil Meche</span> (0-5) allowed the homer to Young to suffer the loss.</p>
<p>Trailing 2-0, Minnesota scored a pair of runs in the sixth to tie the game. <span>Michael Cuddyer</span> singled, <span>Danny Valencia</span> singled, and <span>Jason Repko</span> walked to load the bases with one out. Butera then hit an <span class="caps">RBI</span> single to left. The tying run crossed the plate when Casilla grounded into a fielder’s choice.</p>
<p>Young’s homer to left off Meche in the seventh put the Twins ahead, 3-2.</p>
<p>With a man on second and one out in the ninth, Young hit an <span class="caps">RBI</span> single up the middle to give Minnesota a 4-2 edge.</p>
<p><span>Brian Fuentes</span>, who recorded the final out in the seventh, pitched a scoreless eighth and <span>Matt Capps</span> got out of a first-and-second situation in the ninth to record his 16th save.</p>
<p>The Royals got on the board in the second inning. Ka’aihue led off the frame with a homer to right-center field. <span>Alex Gordon</span> walked and <span>Yuniesky Betancourt</span> doubled to put men on second and third with one out. May then hit an <span class="caps">RBI</span> single. <span>Jai Miller</span> and <span>Jarrod Dyson</span> struck out, but not before Kansas City took a 2-0 lead.</p>
<p>Minnesota had trouble with runners in scoring position early on, as they stranded at least two men on base in the second, third, and fourth frames.</p>
<p>The Royals loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth, but Betancourt flied out.</p>
<p>Game Notes</p>
<p>The Twins went 1-5 on their final road trip of the year…Minnesota won the season series with Kansas City, 13-5…Minnesota, which went 41-40 on the road this year, will finish the regular season with four home games against Toronto…The Royals will end the season with four contests versus the Rays.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-twins/2010/9/29/1720867/twins-stop-losing-streak-at-five-with-4-2-win-in-kansas-cityChristopher Gates2010-09-29T18:17:52-05:002010-09-29T18:17:52-05:00Twins Try To Halt Slide Against Royals Tonight
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<p><font size="2"> (Sports Network) - The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Minnesota Twins</a> have hardly resembled a team heading to the playoffs since claiming the American League Central title. The suddenly-slumping club will attempt to end a season-high losing streak and avert a three-game sweep at the hands of the lowly <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a> when the divisional foes square off again tonight at Kauffman Stadium. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> The Twins were handed a fifth straight defeat with last night's 10-1 trouncing by the Royals, giving Ron Gardenhire's squad its longest skid since a six-game slide from May 15-20, 2009. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> Minnesota was once again plagued by poor pitching, as starter Nick Blackburn (10-11) was battered for eight runs and eight hits before exiting after only 4 1/3 innings. The Twins have given up 10 runs or more in four of their five losses during the streak, and their starters have produced a horrid 12.81 earned run average over that stretch. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> "We are getting whacked around," stated Gardenhire. "These guys (the Royals) are swinging and having a ball. This trip has been like that. Every game." </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> Kila Ka'aihue led Kansas City's offensive barrage by going 3-for-3 with a pair of homers and four RBI. <span>Josh Fields</span> added a two-run blast later on for the Royals, while <span>Mike Aviles</span> finished 3-for-4 with an RBI double and ended a homer short of hitting for the cycle. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> Sean O'Sulivan (4-6) did his part on the mound for Kansas City, with the young right-hander working around six walks to hold the Twins to one run in a six- inning stint. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> The Royals will be shooting for their first series sweep at home since September 8-10, 2009 and haven't blanked the Twins in a three-game set held in Kansas City since July 29-31, 1994. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> <span>Luke Hochevar</span> tries to get his team to accomplish both feats when he toes the rubber in tonight's finale. The former No. 1 overall draft choice will be making his fourth start since returning from an elbow strain that sidelined him for two months and is 1-2 with a 4.74 ERA following his reinstatement from the disabled list. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> Hochevar is coming off a loss at Cleveland on Friday in which he was reached for four runs and eight hits in five innings. The right-hander was better in his previous outing, limiting the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a> to three runs through six frames to help the Royals to a 6-4 win at Kauffman Stadium on September 19. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> The 27-year-old's first start since coming back from his injury took place against the Twins in Kansas City. He lasted only three innings in that September 7 matchup, though, and permitted three runs on five hits. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> Minnesota, which stands two games back of East-leading Tampa Bay in the battle to obtain home-field advantage throughout the upcoming AL Playoffs, will send out <span>Scott Baker</span> this evening. Like Hochevar, he too missed some time with an elbow problem, having sat out close to three weeks with tendinitis before returning to action on September 21. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> Baker pitched five innings against Cleveland in his first start off the layoff, yielding two runs -- one earned -- and striking out seven batters in a no-decision. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> The right-hander is competing for a spot as a long reliever on the Twins' postseason roster, probably with fellow rotation member <span>Kevin Slowey</span>, who was tagged for six runs in 1 2/3 innings of Monday's loss to the Royals. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> Baker, a 15-game winner for Minnesota last season who's 12-9 thus far in 2010, owns an 8-4 record with a 3.44 ERA in 14 career starts against Kansas City. In six trips to the Kauffman Stadium mound, he's gone 3-1 with a 3.32 ERA. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> The 29-year-old will have to make do without several key members of his team's lineup tonight, as All-Star catcher <span>Joe Mauer</span> (sore knee), designated hitter <span>Jim Thome</span> (back) and shortstop <span>J.J. Hardy</span> (knee) are all not expected to play. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> Kansas City halted a string of six straight losses to Minnesota with Monday's result, but have still lost 12 of 17 matchups between the teams this year. The Twins are 5-3 at Kauffman Stadium this season and 19-7 on the road against the Royals since the start of the 2008 campaign. </font></p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-twins/2010/9/29/1720438/twins-try-to-halt-slide-against-royals-tonightChristopher Gates2010-09-28T22:29:02-05:002010-09-28T22:29:02-05:00Royals Thump Twins, 10-1; Minnesota Losing Streak Now At Five
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<p>(Sports Network) – Kila Ka’aihue hit two home runs, finished with three hits and scored four times, as Kansas City waxed Minnesota, 10-1, for its second straight victory in the three-game series.</p>
<p>Sean O’Sullivan (4-6) picked up the victory, scattering five hits and just one run with one strikeout and six walks over six-plus frames. He was aided by an offensive outburst, as <span>Mike Aviles</span> finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored and <span>Josh Fields</span> hit a two-run home run for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Royals</a>.</p>
<p><span>Nick Blackburn</span> (10-11) was hit with the loss, giving up eight earned runs on eight hits with four strikeouts and two walks over just 4 1/3 frames. <span>Michael Cuddyer</span> drove in the lone run for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a>, who have lost five straight while playing out the string as American League Central champions.</p>
<p>The Royals began pounding out runs from the outset. <span>Jarrod Dyson</span> led off the home first with a walk, moved to second on Aviles’ single then the duo pulled off a double steal in front of Ka’aihue’s three-run shot to right.</p>
<p>Kansas City added two more runs in the second as back-to-back singles by <span>Yuniesky Betancourt</span> and <span>Lucas May</span> set the table. Betancourt moved to third on a fly out and scored on Dyson’s grounder to second. He reached first on the force out, stole second and came around to score on Aviles’ double.</p>
<p>Ka’aihue’s second long ball of the game, a solo shot on a line to right, made the score 6-0 in the third before the Twins finally got on the scoreboard in the fifth. <span>Denard Span</span> and <span>Orlando Hudson</span> walked before <span>Delmon Young</span> grounded into a 1-4-3 double play. Cuddyer came through with the two-out, run- scoring single to center, cutting the deficit to 6-1.</p>
<p>The Royals responded with a two-spot in the home fifth as Aviles tripled and scored on a balk. Ka’aihue worked a one-out walk, moved to second on Fields’ single, to third on a walk to <span>Alex Gordon</span> and scored when Betancourt grounded into a force out.</p>
<p>The game’s final two runs came in the home seventh as Ka’aihue tripled in front of Fields’ two-run shot to left.</p>
<p>Game Notes</p>
<p>Fields’ home run was his third of the season, while Ka’aihue clubbed his sixth and seventh home runs…Aviles now has 15 doubles and three triples on the campaign…O’Sullivan gave up just the one run despite throwing 62 of his 114 pitches out of the strike zone…Minnesota still owns a commanding 12-5 edge in the season series.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-twins/2010/9/28/1718727/royals-thump-twins-10-1-minnesota-losing-streak-now-at-fiveChristopher Gates2010-09-28T16:26:29-05:002010-09-28T16:26:29-05:00Twins Try To Stop Losing Streak
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<p><font size="2"> (Sports Network) - The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Minnesota Twins</a> have already sewn up a spot in the postseason, but the American League Central champions won't be entering the upcoming playoffs with much momentum the way they've been playing as of late. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> Seeking to avert their longest losing streak of the season, the Twins continue a three-game set with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a> this evening from Kauffman Stadium. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> Minnesota clinched its second consecutive AL Central title following a 6-4 victory over Cleveland last Tuesday and completed a series sweep of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/">Indians</a> the subsequent day, but hasn't won a game since. After losing all three meetings with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Detroit Tigers</a> over the weekend, the Twins were dealt a 10-8 defeat by the Royals on Monday. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> The skid is Minnesota's longest since a four-gamer from July 7-10. The Twins have not lost five in a row since a six-game slide from May 15-20, 2009. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> <span>Josh Fields</span> hit two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth inning to snap an 8-8 tie in Monday's opener, and four Kansas City pitchers combined to hold the Twins to just one hit over the final five innings to help the Royals halt a three-game losing streak. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> Phillip Humber (2-1) picked up the victory after allowing one run in 2 2/3 innings of relief of starter <span>Kyle Davies</span>, who was battered for seven runs and eight hits before exiting with one out in the top of the fourth. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> <span>Jarrod Dyson</span> had a two-run homer of his own earlier on for Kansas City, while <span>Lucas May</span> finished 2-for-3 with three RBI on the night. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> <span>Jason Kubel</span> knocked in five runs for the Twins, three of which came on a homer off Humber in the top of the fourth that briefly tied the game at 8-8. <span>Delmon Young</span> and <span>Michael Cuddyer</span> each collected two hits and an RBI in a losing cause. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> Minnesota starter <span>Kevin Slowey</span> lasted only 1 2/3 innings and was pounded for six runs and six hits. Replacement <span>Jeff Manship</span> (2-1) didn't fare much better, as the right-hander was charged with three runs allowed while recording only four outs. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> "This was not a good ballgame for our club," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "This is not acceptable. We can't lose our edge." </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> The setback kept the Twins one game behind East leader Tampa Bay in the battle for home-field advantage throughout the AL Playoffs. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> <span>Nick Blackburn</span> gets the call for the Twins tonight in one of his final tuneups in preparation for a possible postseason start. The right-hander earned himself a spot in the team's playoff rotation with a strong late-season performance, having compiled a 3-2 record and an outstanding 1.81 earned run average in six starts since returning from a month-long stint in the minors. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> Blackburn, who had an unsightly 6.66 ERA when sent to Triple-A Rochester in late July, has delivered a quality start each time following the promotion and was sharp again this past Wednesday, when he limited Cleveland to a run on five hits over seven innings to pick up his 10th win of 2010. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> Gardenhire has named Blackburn his Game 4 starter (if necessary) for the upcoming AL Division Series, slotting him in behind Francisco Liriano, <span>Carl Pavano</span> and <span>Brian Duensing</span>. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> The 28-year-old will be aiming to improve upon a 1-2 record and 4.59 ERA in nine lifetime games against Kansas City. Blackburn faced the Royals twice back in April and surrendered a total of 11 runs (10 earned) and 17 hits over only 9 1/3 innings pitched, while receiving a no-decision both times. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> While Blackburn gears up for the playoffs, Kansas City's Sean O'Sullivan will be using Tuesday's matchup as a chance to audition for a starting role in 2011. The young right-hander impressed his employers in his most recent outing, holding the Indians to a pair of runs and four hits over six innings to help the Royals post a 4-2 win last Thursday. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> O'Sullivan hasn't done well since coming over to the Royals in a midseason trade from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Los Angeles Angels</a> of Anaheim, however. In 11 starts following the trade, he's just 2-6 with a subpar 7.21 ERA and has allowed 14 homers in only 58 2/3 innings. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> The 23-year-old opposed the Twins for the first time in his career earlier this month but struggled mightily, permitting five runs and a pair of homers while walking five batters in 4 2/3 innings of a loss in Minneapolis. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"> Kansas City halted a string of six straight losses to Minnesota with last night's result, but have still lost 12 of 16 matchups between the teams this year. The Twins are 5-2 at Kauffman Stadium this season and 19-6 on the road against the Royals since the start of the 2008 campaign. </font></p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-twins/2010/9/28/1718009/twins-try-to-stop-losing-streakChristopher Gates2010-09-27T22:57:50-05:002010-09-27T22:57:50-05:00Six-Run Second Helps Royals Do In Twins, 10-8
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<p>(Sports Network) – <span>Lucas May</span> drove in three runs as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a> took a 10-8 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Minnesota Twins</a> in the opener of a three- game set.</p>
<p><span>Jarrod Dyson</span> and <span>Josh Fields</span> each hit a two-run home run for the Royals, who snapped a three-game slide. <span>Kyle Davies</span> went 3 1/3 innings and was banged up for seven runs on eight hits. <span>Philip Humber</span> (2-1) was credited with the win as he gave up just a run in 2 2/3 relief innings.</p>
<p><span>Jason Kubel</span> hit a three-run home run and a two-run double for the Twins, who have dropped four straight.</p>
<p><span>Kevin Slowey</span> was torched for six runs on six hits in just 1 2/3 innings while <span>Jeff Manship</span> (2-1) was handed the loss for giving up three runs in 1 1/3 innings.</p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/minnesota-twins/2010/9/27/1716458/six-run-second-helps-royals-do-in-twins-10-8Christopher Gates2010-09-27T19:04:43-05:002010-09-27T19:04:43-05:00Twins Travel To Kansas City For Final Road Series Of 2010
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<p><font size="2">(Sports Network) - Although the <a href="https://www.twinkietown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Twins</a> have already wrapped up first place in the American League's Central Division, the club still has something to play for and decisions to be made as it enters the final week of the regular season. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">One of those choices involves <span>Kevin Slowey</span>, who will take the mound for the playoff-bound Twins in tonight's opener of a three-game series with the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Royals</a> from Kauffman Stadium. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">Minnesota is guaranteed a spot in the postseason, but isn't assured of hosting the first two games of next week's AL Division Series and still has a chance at home-field advantage throughout the league playoffs. The Twins presently trail Tampa Bay by one game in the race for the AL's best record. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">The AL Central champs still stand a good chance of having home field for the upcoming ALDS, as they lead AL West winner Texas for five games with just seven left to play in the battle to take on the league's Wild Card recipient. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">Manager Ron Gardenhire has already set his starting rotation for the postseason's first round, tabbing <span>Francisco Liriano</span>, <span>Carl Pavano</span>, <span>Brian Duensing</span> and <span>Nick Blackburn</span> to man those spots. That likely leaves Slowey and <span>Scott Baker</span> fighting to be the final pitcher on the ALDS roster, with each getting a chance to state his case during this series. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">Slowey gets the first crack tonight and will be making his fourth start following a return from a two-week stint on the disabled list with a strained triceps. He's pitched well since being activated, having compiled a 2-0 record with a 2.55 earned run average and helping the Twins win each of those contests. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">The right-hander put forth a particularly strong effort in his most recent start, a September 18 victory over Oakland in which he held the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Athletics</a> to two runs on five hits while striking out eight over 6 2/3 innings. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">Slowey last faced the Royals back on September 6, when he threw four innings and allowed a pair of runs on seven hits in his first time back from his injury. The 26-year-old is 1-1 with a 3.31 ERA in three meetings with Kansas City this year, with the loss taking place at Kauffman Stadium on April 25. He was reached for four runs in 5 1/3 innings that day. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">That defeat is the only one Slowey has experienced in six career decisions against the Royals, and he owns a 3.30 ERA over eight all-time appearances (seven starts) in this series. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">Baker is slated to pitch Wednesday's finale of this set. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">The Twins also come in hoping to regain a little lost momentum, as Gardenhire's squad were just swept in a three-game series at Detroit over the weekend. The <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tigers</a> came through with a 5-1 triumph on Sunday, with starting pitcher <span>Rick Porcello</span> limiting Minnesota to four hits over the first eight innings. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">"We've got a lot of people beat up right now," said Gardenhire afterward. "It's always disappointing. No matter what we put out on the field, we expect to win. We didn't do it." </font></p>
<p><font size="2">One of those players Gardenhire is referring to is <span>Joe Mauer</span>, the reigning AL MVP who hasn't seen action since September 19 due to a sore left knee. The All-Star catcher may be back in the lineup tonight, but only as a designated hitter. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">Duensing (10-3) took the loss on Sunday after surrendering all five runs and a pair of homers in 6 2/3 innings of work, with <span>Delmon Young</span>'s solo homer in the fourth accounting for the Twins' only score. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">The Royals return home after dropping the final three tests of a four-game set in Cleveland, falling behind the <a href="https://www.letsgotribe.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Indians</a> and into last place in the AL Central as a result. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">Kansas City looked to be on its way to a series split, but squandered a late three-run advantage in a 5-3 defeat in Sunday's finale. The Indians rallied for five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, with <span>Michael Brantley</span>'s pinch-hit two-RBI double with two out providing the winning margin. </font></p>
<p><font size="2"><span>Robinson Tejeda</span> (3-5) came on in the eighth to protect the Royals' lead, but was rocked for six hits and all five Cleveland runs. The reliever served up a game-tying three-run homer to <span>Shelley Duncan</span> in addition to Brantley's clutch hit. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">"[Cleveland] didn't hit anything hard outside the home run," said Royals manager Ned Yost. "Everything else was hit off the end of the bat or was a jam-shot, but they all counted." </font></p>
<p><font size="2">Tejeda's meltdown spoiled an excellent outing from starter <span>Bruce Chen</span>, who limited the Tribe to four hits over 6 2/3 scoreless frames. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">Yost will be hoping for a similar showing out of <span>Kyle Davies</span> this evening. The right-hander went the distance in his latest start, a 4-2 loss at Detroit this past Wednesday in which he allowed seven hits and struck out six over eight innings. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">Davies has lost four of his last six decisions and is 8-11 with a 5.05 ERA in 30 starts for the season. This will be his second encounter with Minnesota in 2010, having lost a June 9 verdict in Minneapolis after permitting five runs (four earned) and walking five in a 6 2/3-inning stint. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">In 10 career starts against Minnesota, Davies is 4-6 with a 4.88 ERA. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">The Twins have dominated the season series between these two divisional foes, winning 12 of 15 matchups and the last six tilts. Minnesota is 5-1 at Kauffman Stadium this year and 19-5 on the road against the Royals since the start of the 2008 campaign. </font></p>
https://minnesota.sbnation.com/2010/9/27/2321689/twins-travel-to-kansas-city-for-final-road-series-of-2010Christopher Gates