Royals 3 - 1 Twins
Final
  for this game

Chen, Royals complete sweep, season domination of Twins

Aug 30, 2013 - 12:26 AM Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Bruce Chen tossed one-run ball into the sixth, and a big second inning staked Kansas City to a 3-1 decision over Minnesota to finish off a three-game sweep.

Alex Gordon, Alcides Escobar and Chris Getz knocked in a run each in the deciding frame for the Royals, who finished the year a franchise-best 15-4 against their long-time division rivals.

KC won its final seven contests at Target Field this year, finishing 8-2 on the road in the season series.

"The vibe is very positive," said Getz. "We're always pretty positive all together, so we're feeling pretty good."

Chen (6-2) scattered five hits and fanned three over 5 2/3 innings, while three relievers including Greg Holland -- who picked up his 36th save -- combined to hold Minnesota hitless over the final 3 1/3 frames.

Brian Dozier collected two hits including a solo homer for the Twins, while Samuel Deduno (8-8) lasted only three innings thanks to right shoulder soreness, allowing four hits and three runs, fanning four, walking one and hitting a batter.

"I wanted to keep pitching, but they told me they wanted to see what's wrong with my shoulder."" said Deduno.

The Royals backed Chen with three runs in their second turn against Deduno. Billy Butler worked a leadoff walk and Justin Maxwell was plunked, then Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was ejected by home plate umpire Alan Porter during a trip to the mound.

A George Kottaras grounder moved both runners into scoring position, then back-to-back singles, from Escobar and Getz, made it 2-0. The duo then tried for a double steal. Getz swiped second, but Jarrod Dyson's fielder's choice grounder erased Escobar at third. Gordon, though, added a base hit to plate Getz.

Josh Willingham was stranded at third to end the fourth, but the Twins got on the board in the sixth as Dozier led off with his 14th homer of the season. Chen was lifted with two down, but Kevin Herrera induced a liner from Willingham to end the frame.

Herrera turned in a perfect seventh, then Will Smith followed suit in the eighth.

Holland walked Willingham with two gone in the ninth, but fanned Ryan Doumit swinging to end the game.

Game Notes

Kansas City has won five straight games and outscored the Twins by a 17-3 margin in the series ... Minnesota has dropped five straight overall ... Dozier's blast tied him with Tim Teufel (1984) for most home runs in a season by a Minnesota second baseman ... Twins outfielder Wilkin Ramirez left the game in the bottom of the fifth inning after fouling a ball off his left leg and is listed as day-to-day.






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