Sep 27, 2008 - 6:12 AM
4 shoutsKansas City (74-86) at Minnesota (87-73) 3:55 p.m. EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Twins have the advantage in the race for the American League Central crown. The Kansas City Royals are trying to take it away.
The fourth-place Royals have proven to be no pushover on the road to the postseason, picking up an 8-1 win in the series opener on Friday. Billy Butler homered among three hits as Kansas City won its major league-high 17th game in September and 12th in 14 contests.
Luckily for the Twins, the Chicago White Sox (86-73) continued to struggle, losing to Cleveland. Minnesota holds a one-half game lead in the division.
Minnesota has been dominant at the Metrodome this season, with a 52-27 record, and can clinch at least a tie for the division with a win and a Chicago loss on Saturday.
The Twins will hand the ball to lefthander Glen Perkins (12-4, 4.50 ERA). The 25-year-old is coming off the shortest start of his career on September 18 when he allowed five runs - two earned - in two-thirds of an inning at Tampa Bay.
In his last four starts, Perkins is 0-1 with a 9.42 ERA and a .426 batting average against.
The Royals will counter with righthander Gil Meche (13-11, 4.05). Kansas City's Opening Day starter is attempting to finish his season strong, winning each of his last two starts while allowing four combined runs in 13 innings.
He has struggled against Minnesota, however, going 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA in three starts this season.
From the Bleachers
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KANSAS CITY: 4
MINNESOTA: 2
Final
Sep 27 7:42 PM -
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Royals 4, Twins 2 Bot 7
hkychick10
Go royals! Now all i need is for the sox to win tonight (if the royals hold on)
Sep 27 6:28 PM -
Royals 4, Twins 2 Top 7
hkychick10
Go royals! Now all i need is for the sox to win tonight (if the royals hold on)
Sep 27 6:26 PM -
AL
AT MINNESOTA - PITCHING CHANGE
MIN: CRAIG BRESLOW (0-2, 1.93) IN THE 6TH
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, B BUTLER ON FIRST, M TEAHEN ON SECOND, R
SHEALY ON THIRD, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 2, MINNESOTA 2
DUE UP FOR KANSASCITY: A GORDON (.260, 0-FOR-2)
Sep 27 5:41 PM -
AL
AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
SACRIFICE FLY BY MIKE AVILES SCORED BILLY BUTLER.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, M MAIER ON FIRST, J BUCK ON THIRD, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 1
MINNESOTA 2 TOP, 5TH
DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: A CALLASPO (.311, 0-FOR-2)
Sep 27 5:23 PM
