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Twins beat Royals on Cuddyer's single

Jul 17, 2011 - 3:18 AM Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Michael Cuddyer singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning to lift the Minnesota Twins over the Kansas City Royals, 4-3, in the third installment of a four-game series.

Joe Nathan, named the new closer by Twins manager Ron Gardenhire before the game, closed it out in the ninth for his fourth save of the season and first since April 8.

Drew Butera homered in the win, which was credited to Glen Perkins (1-1) for tossing a scoreless eighth. The Twins have won three of four overall.

Alcides Escobar hit a two-run homer for the Royals, while starter Jeff Francis (3-11) suffered his fifth straight losing decision.

"It's a mirror image of his season. He pitched great and has nothing to show for it," Royals manager Ned Yost said of his starter.

With the game tied, 3-3, Francis was pulled after giving up a pair of one-out hits in the eighth.

Aaron Crow, the Royals' only All-Star, stepped in to face Minnesota's only representative in the Mid-Summer Classic, and Cuddyer got the better of Crow by fisting a 1-2 offering into center to bring in Alexi Casilla.

"I was looking for the slider...and I was able to get it up," Cuddyer said.

Joe Mauer was tagged out in a rundown between third and home later in the frame, but the Twins didn't need an insurance run as a result of Nathan working around a one-out single in the ninth.

Gardenhire wasn't there to see his pitching change work to perfection. He left the game early due to an illness and put the managing duties in the hands of bench coach Scott Ullger.

Ben Revere used his speed to get the Twins started in the first, as he beat out an infield single, advanced to second on a groundout, stole third and scored on Mauer's groundout.

Cuddyer followed with a two-out single and raced around to score when Delmon Young's line drive found the gap in left.

Butera homered down the left-field line in the fourth, but the Royals got closer in their next at-bat against Carl Pavano, as Brayan Pena singled with two away prior to Escobar finding the flowers above the left-field wall.

Eric Hosmer's groundout in the sixth plated Melky Cabrera to tie the game.

It was Hosmer's game-winning, two-run homer off Matt Capps on Friday that led to Capps losing his closer responsibility.

Game Notes

Bert Blyleven became the sixth Twins player to have his number retired by the organization on Saturday...The Royals have lost in each of Francis' last six starts...Pavano was charged with three runs on six hits in seven innings...The Royals went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position...The Twins were 0-for-6 with RISP before Cuddyer's hit in the eighth.