The Minnesota Twins show why they are still in the playoff chase in the American League Central as they beat the Kansas City Royals 9-4. The Twins would score in three straight innings to pull within two and a half games of the Detroit Tigers.
Minnesota would score the first run of the game in the third, when Royals starter Robinson Tejeda threw a wild pitch, allowing Nick Punto to score. The Royals would answer in their half of the inning when Billy Butler hit the first of two home runs in the game to tie the score at 1-1.
In the fourth, a Michael Cuddyer home run put the Twins up 2-1. In the fifth, a bases loaded single would score one more for the Twins, and two more would score on bases loaded walks. A single would drive in one more run for Minnesota.
The Royals would answer right back in their half of the fifth, when Billy Butler hit his second home run of the game, this time a three run shot to cut the Twins lead 6-4.
The Twins would add two more in the seventh and one more in the ninth to close out the scoring in the game.
Royals starter Robinson Tejeda would last only four innings, giving up five runs on six hits.
Game two of the series is Saturday night as as Lenny DiNardo will get the start for the Royals against the Twins Scott Baker. First pitch is set for 6:10 at Kauffman Stadium.