Runelvys Hernandez’s return to the majors was a successful one, as the Royals topped the Twins 3-1 at the K. Hernandez, who showed up to camp overweight, was demoted from second to fifth in the rotation, then sent to the minors for a spell. On Wednesday, he returned to the majors with a sharp seven-inning performance. He allowed one run off two hits and no walks to get the win.
Elmer Dessens and Ambiorix Burgos pitched an inning of relief, both working around base hits to close it out. Burgos got his second save of the season.
Justin Morneau’s solo home run in the fifth inning was the only run Hernandez allowed. That home run came after the Royals got on the board in the fourth inning with Reggie Sanders’ grounder, which scored Mark Grudzielanek from third base.
Kansas City scored twice in the sixth inning to take the 3-1 lead. Matt Stairs broke the tie with a double to score Grudzielanek, then Emil Brown singled in Stairs. The Royals have won three of their last four, after dropping 11 in a row.
