The Royals weren’t going to take any chances with rookie pitcher J.P. Howell, even if it meant ending his shot at a no-hitter. Howell pitched five inning without giving up a hit, but reached 97 pitches by the end of the fifth and was replaced by Andrew Sisco in the sixth inning. Ambiorix Burgos and Jeremy Affeldt also chipped in for a 5-0 win over the Twins and a three hitter. Howell (3-5) stuck out seven and walked three to get the win.
Howell got help at the plate from four different teammates, who drove in runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings. Angel Berroa got Kansas City on the board with a solo home run—his 11th of the season—in the third. Mark Teahen drove in Mike Sweeney with a single in the fourth and John buck made it 4-0 with a two-run double. In the fifth inning, Matt Stairs gave his team a 5-0 cushion with a sacrifice fly that plated Aaron Guiel.
The win snapped a five-game road skid for the Royals and gave them their second-straight win.
