Kevin Slowey limited Kansas City to one run on seven hits in six innings, Joe Mauer drove in two runs and the Minnesota Twins took advantage of eight walks to beat the Royals 4-1 on Friday night.
Slowey (8-8) did not walk a batter and struck out two in 5 2-3 innings. It was the 16th time in 29 career starts that he has not allowed a walk. He is averaging 1.3 walks per nine innings this season.
Slowey has not allowed a first-inning run in 18 starts, the longest streak since Mike Sirotka in his first 21 starts with the 1999 Chicago White Sox.
Joe Nathan worked the ninth for his 31st save in 33 opportunities, but not before the Royals loaded the bases on two hits and a hit batsman. David DeJesus, who leads the majors with a .437 average with runners in scoring position, grounded out to end the game.
The Twins sent nine men to the plate in a three-run third, which included three hits, three walks and Mike Aviles’ throwing error. Mauer and Jason Kubel had run-producing singles, scoring Denard Span and Nick Punto. Mauer scored the final run of the inning on Aviles’ error.
Mauer’s sacrifice fly in the ninth scored Denard Span, who went 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs.
DeJesus, who returned to the lineup after missing the previous five games with tightness in his back, singled home Aviles in the sixth for the only Kansas City run.
In the seventh, the Royals threatened with two outs when Esteban German reached on Adam Everett’s fielding error, and Aviles, who had four hits to match his career high, singled. Aviles moved to second on a passed ball, but left-hander Dennys Reyes, the fourth of six Twins pitcher, struck out Mark Teahen to strand the runners.
Royals right-hander Kyle Davies (5-3), who had won his previous two starts, lasted just 2 1-3 innings, allowing three runs on five walks and three singles. After a 1-2-3 first inning, eight of the next 12 Twins reached base before he was replaced by Joel Peralta with one out in the third
Davies walked the bases full in the second, but struck out Carlos Gomez to end the inning. In the third, the Twins sent nine men to the plate and chased Davies.
Notes: Royals LHP Ron Mahay is bothered with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. “It’s been bothering him for a while,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said. “He just hasn’t said anything.”
|
|
|
Kevin Slowey limited Kansas City to one run on seven hits in six innings, Joe Mauer drove in two runs and the Minnesota Twins took advantage of eight walks to beat the Royals 4-1 on Friday night.
Slowey (8-8) did not walk a batter and struck out two in 5 2-3 innings. It was the 16th time in 29 career starts that he has not allowed a walk. He is averaging 1.3 walks per nine innings this season.
Slowey has not allowed a first-inning run in 18 starts, the longest streak since Mike Sirotka in his first 21 starts with the 1999 Chicago White Sox.
Joe Nathan worked the ninth for his 31st save in 33 opportunities, but not before the Royals loaded the bases on two hits and a hit batsman. David DeJesus, who leads the majors with a .437 average with runners in scoring position, grounded out to end the game.
The Twins sent nine men to the plate in a three-run third, which included three hits, three walks and Mike Aviles’ throwing error. Mauer and Jason Kubel had run-producing singles, scoring Denard Span and Nick Punto. Mauer scored the final run of the inning on Aviles’ error.
Mauer’s sacrifice fly in the ninth scored Denard Span, who went 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs.
DeJesus, who returned to the lineup after missing the previous five games with tightness in his back, singled home Aviles in the sixth for the only Kansas City run.
In the seventh, the Royals threatened with two outs when Esteban German reached on Adam Everett’s fielding error, and Aviles, who had four hits to match his career high, singled. Aviles moved to second on a passed ball, but left-hander Dennys Reyes, the fourth of six Twins pitcher, struck out Mark Teahen to strand the runners.
Royals right-hander Kyle Davies (5-3), who had won his previous two starts, lasted just 2 1-3 innings, allowing three runs on five walks and three singles. After a 1-2-3 first inning, eight of the next 12 Twins reached base before he was replaced by Joel Peralta with one out in the third
Davies walked the bases full in the second, but struck out Carlos Gomez to end the inning. In the third, the Twins sent nine men to the plate and chased Davies.
Notes: Royals LHP Ron Mahay is bothered with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. “It’s been bothering him for a while,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said. “He just hasn’t said anything.”
