Final
  for this game

Twins hoping to continue domination of Royals

Sep 9, 2008 - 12:31 PM Kansas City (61-81) at Minnesota (78-65) 8:10 p.m. EDT

MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- A visit from the Kansas City Royals is exactly what the Minnesota Twins may need to end their recent slump.

After losing five of their last six games, the Twins try to continue their domination of the Royals when the teams open a series on Tuesday.

Minnesota has fallen 2 1/2 games behind the Chicago White Sox (80-62) in the American League Central Division after suffering a three-game sweep against the Toronto Blue Jays and dropping two games to the Detroit Tigers over the weekend.

However, the Twins have nine victories in 12 meetings with Kansas City in 2008 and have won all four series against their division counterparts.

Rookie Nick Blackburn (9-8, 3.71 ERA) is also looking to get back on track against the Royals after posting an 0-2 record in his last four starts.

Despite his recent troubles, Blackburn, 26, was stellar in his last outing against Kansas City, allowing two runs and eight hits while striking out four in 8 1/3 innings, but did not factor in the decision during the Twins' 4-3, 12-inning victory on May 27.

Brian Bannister (7-14, 5.56), who is 0-8 over his last 12 starts, counters for the hapless Royals, who have finished over .500 just once since 1994.








  • AL
    FINAL
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
    - - - - - - - - - - - -
    KANSAS CITY 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 0
    MINNESOTA 1 2 1 3 0 0 0 0 x 7 13 1 (FINAL)

    BATTERIES: KAN - BRIAN BANNISTER, JOHN BALE (4TH), JIMMY GOBBLE (6TH), KIP
    WELLS (7TH), DEVON LOWERY (8TH) AND MIGUEL OLIVO
    MIN - NICK BLACKBURN, DENNYS REYES (8TH), JESSE CRA

    Sep 9 10:45 PM


  • AL
    AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
    TWO-RUN HOME RUN BY JUSTIN MORNEAU (23) TO RIGHT WITH 2 OUT
    IN THE 4TH OFF BRIAN BANNISTER SCORED ALEXI CASILLA.
    CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 2, MINNESOTA 7
    DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J KUBEL (.274, 0-FOR-2)

    Royals 2, Twins 7  Bot 4, 0 OutsSep 9 9:29 PM


  • AL
    AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
    SACRIFICE FLY BY JOE MAUER SCORED DENARD SPAN.
    SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, A CASILLA ON FIRST, 2 OUT
    CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 2
    MINNESOTA 5 BOTTOM, 4TH
    DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J MORNEAU (.311, 1-FOR-2)

    Royals 2, Twins 5  Bot 4, 0 OutsSep 9 9:27 PM


  • AL
    AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
    DOUBLE BY BRIAN BUSCHER SCORED DELMON YOUNG.
    SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, B BUSCHER ON SECOND, 2 OUT
    CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 2
    MINNESOTA 4 BOTTOM, 3RD
    DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: N PUNTO (.288, 1-FOR-1)

    Royals 2, Twins 4  Bot 3, 0 OutsSep 9 9:07 PM


  • AL
    AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
    DOUBLE BY JOSE GUILLEN SCORED DAVID DEJESUS.
    SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, J GUILLEN ON SECOND, 2 OUT
    CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 2
    MINNESOTA 3 TOP, 3RD
    DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: B BUTLER (.278, 0-FOR-1)

    Royals 2, Twins 3  Top 3, 0 OutsSep 9 8:58 PM


  • AL
    AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
    SACRIFICE FLY BY CARLOS GOMEZ SCORED BRIAN BUSCHER.
    SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, N PUNTO ON SECOND, 2 OUT
    CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 1
    MINNESOTA 2 BOTTOM, 2ND
    DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: D SPAN (.303, 1-FOR-1)

    Royals 1, Twins 2  Bot 2, 0 OutsSep 9 8:45 PM


  • AL
    AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
    SOLO HOME RUN BY MIGUEL OLIVO (12) TO LEFT CENTER WITH 1
    OUT IN THE 2ND OFF NICK BLACKBURN.
    CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 1, MINNESOTA 1
    DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: R SHEALY (.273, 1 HR, 2 RBI)

    Royals 1, Twins 1  Top 2, 0 OutsSep 9 8:33 PM


  • AL
    AT MINNESOTA - SCORING UPDATE
    GROUND OUT BY JOE MAUER SCORED DENARD SPAN.
    SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, NONE ON, 2 OUT
    CURRENT SCORE: KANSAS CITY 0
    MINNESOTA 1 BOTTOM, 1ST
    DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J MORNEAU (.310, 22 HR, 117 RBI)

    Royals 0, Twins 1  Bot 1, 0 OutsSep 9 8:26 PM