For the third straight game, the Royals were held to just one run, but this time the pitching staff was able to do a lot with just a little in a 1-0 win over the Twins. Jeremy Affledt, Joel Peralta, Elmer Dessens and Ambiorix Burgos combined for the five-hit shut out over Minnesota.

Catcher Paul Bako singled in Emil Brown in the second inning for the game’s only tally.

Affledt (2-2) allowed just three hits over five innings, but walks almost cost him in the third inning. He walked the bases loaded with two outs, but got Lew Ford to strikeout to end the inning and the potential two-out rally.

In the fifth, Affeldt gave up a couple of walks a single and a fielder’s choice and loaded the bases once again with two outs. And like the fourth inning, he got out of it unscathed by getting Justin Morneau to ground out to second. That was it for Affeldt, who finished with six walks.

The Royals had a chance to add to their lead in the sixth inning after Matt Stairs and Emil Brown reached with a single and double with one out. That’s where the rally ended. Doug Mientkiewicz popped out and Angel Berroa lined out.

Ambiorix Burgos pitched a perfect ninth inning to get his third save of the season.

The win snapped a six-game losing streak, but it also prevented the Royals from going into the record books. Had they fallen short on Thursday, Kansas City would have tied the Major League Baseball record for consecutive road losses to start the season, with 13. The only other teams to do that were the 1969 Astros and the 1988 Orioles.

Royals’ right fielder Reggie Sanders left in the third inning after suffering tightness in his left hamstring and is day-to-day.