Sep 26, 2008 - 6:28 AM
0 shoutsKansas City (73-86) at Minnesota (87-72), 8:10 p.m. EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Coming off a huge sweep of the Chicago White Sox, the first-place Minnesota Twins can ill-afford a letdown on Friday.
Minnesota hopes to set the pace in the American League Central when it hosts the Kansas City Royals.
The Twins capped a dramatic three-game sweep on Thursday with a 7-6, 10-inning victory over the White Sox. The triumph moved Minnesota one-half game ahead of Chicago (86-72) in the division.
Winners in 11 of 15 meetings with Kansas City, Minnesota will send Francisco Liriano (6-3, 3.39 ERA) to the mound.
The lefthander has been spectacular since he was recalled from the minors at the beginning of August, going 6-0 with a 2.05 ERA in 10 starts. Liriano defeated Tampa Bay on Sunday, allowing one run over seven innings with seven strikeouts.
Kansas City, which is coming off a sweep of Detroit to move out of the basement in the AL Central, will counter with Kyle Davies (8-7, 4.21)
Davies has won his last two starts, allowing two runs over 15 innings during that stretch. The righthander defeated Chicago on Saturday, giving up two runs in seven frames.
The White Sox are hosting the Cleveland Indians for three games over the weekend. Chicago also has a makeup game with the Detroit Tigers tentatively scheduled for Monday, if the game would affect playoff spots.
From the Bleachers
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KANSAS CITY: 8
MINNESOTA: 1
Final
Sep 26 11:01 PM -
AL
AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY MIGUEL OLIVO SCORED BILLY BUTLER.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, M OLIVO ON FIRST, A GORDON ON SECOND, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 8
MINNESOTA 1 TOP, 7TH
DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: M MAIER (.298, 1-FOR-3)
Sep 26 10:19 PM -
AL
AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
GROUND OUT BY ALEXI CASILLA SCORED DENARD SPAN.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, NONE ON, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 7
MINNESOTA 1 BOTTOM, 6TH
DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J MAUER (.332, 2-FOR-2)
Sep 26 10:04 PM -
AL
AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
SOLO HOME RUN BY MIKE AVILES (10) TO LEFT WITH 1 OUT IN THE
6TH OFF PHILIP HUMBER.
CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 7, MINNESOTA 0
DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: A CALLASPO (.315, 1-FOR-2, BB)
Sep 26 9:55 PM -
AL
AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
TWO-RUN HOME RUN BY BILLY BUTLER (11) TO CENTER WITH 1 OUT
IN THE 5TH OFF FRANCISCO LIRIANO SCORED MARK TEAHEN.
CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 6, MINNESOTA 0
DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: A GORDON (.262, 1-FOR-2, RBI)
Sep 26 9:32 PM -
AL
AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
DOUBLE BY ALEX GORDON SCORED RYAN SHEALY.
SITUATION: 4 RUNS IN, A GORDON ON SECOND, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 4
MINNESOTA 0 TOP, 3RD
DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: M OLIVO (.254, 1-FOR-1)
Sep 26 8:54 PM -
AL
AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY RYAN SHEALY SCORED ALBERTO CALLASPO AND JOSE
GUILLEN.
SITUATION: 3 RUNS IN, R SHEALY ON FIRST, 0 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 3
MINNESOTA 0 TOP, 3RD
DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: M TEAHEN (.255, 1-FOR-1)
Sep 26 8:49 PM -
AL
AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY JOSE GUILLEN SCORED MIKE AVILES.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, J GUILLEN ON FIRST, A CALLASPO ON SECOND, 0 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 1
MINNESOTA 0 TOP, 3RD
DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: R SHEALY (.302, 0-FOR-1)
Sep 26 8:46 PM
