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Chen, Royals shut out Twins

Jun 6, 2012 - 4:35 AM Kansas City, MO (Sports Network) - Bruce Chen tossed seven shutout innings to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 1-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins in the middle test of a three-game set at Kauffman Stadium.

Chen (5-5) allowed four hits and did not walk a batter while striking out five in the Royals' fifth win in seven games.

"I feel like I'm making much better pitches and keeping the ball down," said Chen. "My changeup has been very big for me and I make sure that I pound the strike zone."

Brayan Pena knocked in the game's lone run and Jonathan Broxton left the tying run on second base in the ninth inning to earn his 14th save of the year.

Francisco Liriano (1-6) gave up just one run on four hits and a walk while striking out eight over a six-inning start, but could not get any offensive support as Minnesota had its three-game win streak snapped.

"It is kind of frustrating. Our offense had been doing really well here lately the past two or three weeks," Twins shortstop Brian Dozier said.

Kansas City recorded the lone run of the contest in the second inning when Eric Hosmer reached first on a fielder's choice, stole second and came home on Pena's single to left.

The rest of the game belonged to the Royals pitchers as Chen did not allow a runner to reach third base, stranding a runner on second in the fifth and six innings before tossing a perfect seventh.

After Greg Holland struck out three batters in the eighth, Broxton allowed a one-out double to Josh Willingham in the ninth and then walked Justin Morneau to place the go-ahead run on base.

But Broxton then induced a fly out to left by Ryan Doumit before Trevor Plouffe lined out to center field to complete the shutout.

Game Notes

Chen improved to 3-5 in 19 career appearances -- nine starts -- against Minnesota...Liriano was denied his first road win of the season, falling to 0-5 in eight road starts...The Twins went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left six men on base...Kansas City hit 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and stranded six.