Final
Short-handed Twins resume series in Kansas City
Jun 3, 2011 - 2:46 PMVideo
The Twins rolled to an 8-2 victory on Thursday despite placing both Jim Thome (strained left quadriceps) and Jason Kubel (sprained left ankle) on the disabled list before the game. Michael Cuddyer stepped up with a two-RBI game, including a run-scoring double that sparked a six-run third inning.
Ben Revere, who replaced Kubel in the lineup, also drove in a run to help the Twins halt a four-game slide and collect just their third win in 13 games.
Twins starter Anthony Swarzak recorded his first win since July 26, 2009, allowing just two runs on seven hits over six frames.
"That's huge. To be able to go out there and kind of just let it eat a little bit and hope for the best. That was fun tonight," Swarzak said of pitching when his club gave him a sizeable lead. "When guys come up and give you a big lead like that and swung the bats well, it makes it a lot easier to pitch."
Jeff Francoeur drove in both runs for the Royals, who have lost nine of their last 12 and had a four-game winning streak versus the Twins halted.
Minnesota compiled a 37-17 record versus Kansas City from 2008-10, but has still lost four of six to them this year.
Starter Sean O'Sullivan (2-5) was pounded for seven runs -- three earned -- on eight hits over just 2 2/3 innings to get the loss.
"It's the most frustrating thing in the world for me right now. I feel like in the last two or three years, I've tried to do so many things mechanically," said O'Sullivan. "Change this. Change that. Do this. Do that. It's almost like, 'Man, where did I start?' Right now, I'm trying to figure some things out."
Twins starter Carl Pavano is also trying to figure things out after going 0-3 with a 5.26 earned run average over his last six starts. He posted three straight no-decisions before taking a loss to the Angels on Sunday. The righty was charged with five runs -- four earned --on 10 hits over eight innings of a 6-5 setback to remain stuck on 99 career wins.
Pavano fell to 2-5 with a 5.19 ERA in 11 starts this year and that includes a setback to the Royals on May 1. The 35-year-old was drilled for seven runs, including six earned, on 12 hits over 5 1/3 innings, surrendering two hits each to Billy Butler, Mitch Maier and Matt Treanor, as well as a home run to Francoeur.
Countering for the Royals is 22-year-old rookie Danny Duffy, who has yet to post a decision over his first three big-league starts while pitching to a 4.11 ERA. He faced the Rangers on Sunday for the second time this season and allowed three runs on five hits, including the first two homers he has allowed in the majors.
Duffy left with a 5-3 lead, but Kansas City went on to lose, 7-6.
"He's really focused, he's really doing a nice job. Doing exactly what we want our young pitchers coming up doing -- he's on the attack, he's banging strikes, he's making adjustments," Royals manager Ned Yost said on Kansas City's official website. "I'm very pleased with where he's at."
The southpaw will face the Twins for the first time in his second home start of the season.
- MINNESOTA: 5
KANSAS CITY: 2
Final
Jun 3 10:53 PM - Drew Butera sacrificed into a double play, center to first to third scored Delmon Young with two out. On the play, Ben Revere was out at third to end the inning.
Twins 5, Royals 2 Mid 8Jun 3 10:35 PM - Drew Butera double to left scored Luke Hughes with two out. Runner on second and Denard Span due up.
Twins 4, Royals 2 Top 6, 2 OutsJun 3 10:01 PM - Alex Gordon single to right scored Brayan Pena with two out. On the play, Alcides Escobar advances to third. Runners on first and third and Melky Cabrera due up.
Twins 3, Royals 2 Bot 4, 2 OutsJun 3 9:32 PM - Chris Getz sacrifice bunt to first. On the play, Brayan Pena advances to second and Wilson Betemit advances to third. Runners on second and third with one out and Alcides Escobar due up.
Twins 3, Royals 1 Bot 4, 1 OutJun 3 9:30 PM - Michael Cuddyer one-out, solo Home Run (6) to center. Danny Valencia due up.
Twins 3, Royals 0 Top 3, 1 OutJun 3 8:55 PM - Denard Span double to center scored Ben Revere and Drew Butera with two out. Runner on second and Alexi Casilla due up.
Twins 2, Royals 0 Top 2, 2 OutsJun 3 8:41 PM - MINNESOTA: 0
KANSAS CITY: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Jun 3 8:10 PM
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