Final
Twins edge Royals
Apr 14, 2014 - 4:13 AM Minneapolis, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - Josmil Pinto hit a two-run home run and the Minnesota Twins scored two runs in the eighth inning to help them sweep the three-game series from the Kansas City Royals with a 4-3 decision on Sunday.Pinto broke a scoreless tie with a homer off Kansas City starter Jason Vargas in the bottom of the seventh. The Royals then used small ball in the top half of the eighth to grab a 3-2 lead heading to the home half.
Aaron Crow (0-1) walked the first two batters he faced in the eighth and was immediately relieved by Wade Davis. After a Joe Mauer strikeout, Trevor Plouffe walked to load the bases. Chris Herrmann then bounced one back to Davis, who committed a throwing error on the play that enabled Pedro Florimon and Brian Dozier to score.
"I saw the throw. I saw Davis just hanging out a good 10 yards away from the thing, so might as well take a shot," Dozier said of the play.
Casey Fien (1-0) earned the win and Glen Perkins earned his third save of the season after he struck out the first two batters he faced before Mike Moustakas was called out for batter interference to end the game.
Minnesota starter Kevin Correia was charged with three runs over seven innings on six hits with two strikeouts and one walk.
Vargas, meanwhile, allowed two runs over seven innings with four strikeouts and three walks in the setback.
Lorenzo Cain and Alcides Escobar each had two hits for the Royals, who have lost four of their last five.
"I think everybody's trying to do too much right now," Royals manager Ned Yost said.
Both starting pitchers were cruising through six innings, with each working out of jams to maintain the scoreless tie.
Mauer collected two hits in the win and also stole his first base of the season after a one-out single in the sixth. He was doubled off second after Plouffe ripped a line drive to Infante to end the inning.
Kansas City got on the board in the eighth, as Correia walked Moustakas to lead off the inning, then allowed a single to right off the bat of Cain.
Escobar laid a bunt down and was awarded a single on the play. Plouffe, however, tossed the ball into right field and Moustakas scored to cut the deficit in half, 2-1. Nori Aoki followed with a safety squeeze that scored Cain to tie the game and Eric Hosmer gave the Royals a lead two batters later with a double to center that plated Escobar.
Game Notes
Minnesota committed two errors, while Kansas City committed one ... Aaron Hicks and Florimon each added stolen bases for the Twins ... The Royals were 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position ... Minnesota was 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
- KANSAS CITY: 3
MINNESOTA: 4
Final
Apr 13 5:03 PM - Chris Herrmann grounded into a fielder's choice to the pitcher. On the play, Trevor Plouffe advances to second, Pedro Florimon and Brian Dozier scored on Wade Davis's throwing error. Runners on first and second with one out and Darin Mastroianni due up.
Royals 3, Twins 4 Bot 8, 1 OutApr 13 4:51 PM - Eric Hosmer doubled to center scoring Alcides Escobar. Runner on second with two outs and Billy Butler due up.
Royals 3, Twins 2 Top 8, 2 OutsApr 13 4:22 PM - Norichika Aoki sacrifice bunt to pitcher scored Lorenzo Cain. On the play, Alcides Escobar advances to second. Runner on second with one out and Omar Infante due up.
Royals 2, Twins 2 Top 8, 1 OutApr 13 4:20 PM - Alcides Escobar singled to third. On the play, Lorenzo Cain advances to third and Mike Moustakas scored on Trevor Plouffe's throwing error. Runners on first and third with none out and Norichika Aoki due up.
Royals 1, Twins 2 Top 8, 0 OutsApr 13 4:18 PM - Josmil Pinto one-out, two-run Home Run (3) to left scored Darin Mastroianni. Kurt Suzuki due up.
Royals 0, Twins 2 Bot 7, 1 OutApr 13 4:06 PM - KANSAS CITY: 0
MINNESOTA: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Apr 13 2:12 PM
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