The Minnesota Twins make it two in a row over Kansas City, shutting out the Royals 2-0 before a sellout crowd Saturday night at Kauffman Stadium – a crowd of 36,300 that braved temperatures that dipped into the 30s by the time the game had ended. They had come on a night when the Royals gave away replica powder blue uniforms to the first 20,000 fans. And while some might have taken the jersey and gone home, most of the blue seats at the K were filled for most of the evening.
The Twins struck first in the top of the 2nd inning when Jason Kubel belted his 3rd homer of the season, a long fly to right field.
Minnesota starter and winning pitcher Boof Bonser (1-2) held the Royals hitless through 4 1/3 innings, losing his no hit bid when Ross Gload singled with 1 out in the 5th. But the Royals could not capitalize.
The Twins picked up a second run in the 6th, with Jason Kubel, Brendan Harris, Denard Span, and Nick Punto hitting back-to-back-to-back-to-back singles – three of them off KC starter and losing pitcher Brett Tomko (1-1).
The Royals have now gone 26 straight innings without scoring. They’ll try to snap that streak and end a 3 game losing skid when they wrap up their weekend series with the Twins Sunday afternoon at the K. Brian Bannister (2-0) goes to the mound for the Royals (6-5) against Francisco Liriano (0-0) for Minnesota (6-5).
Download/Listen: Manager Trey Hillman’s post game comments (4:00 MP3)
