Royals 6, Twins 4: Tony Abreu snapped a tie in the sixth inning by driving in Eric Hosmer for his season-high third RBI of the contest as host Kansas City salvaged the finale of its three-game series with Minnesota.
Abreu collected a season-best three hits while Lorenzo Cain, Billy Butler and Hosmer drove in a run apiece for the Royals, who defeated the Twins for just the second time in nine games.
After Alexi Casilla tied the game at 4-4 with a two-run single in the top of the sixth, Kansas City reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the frame. Hosmer ripped a two-out double to end the day for starter Esmerling Vasquez (0-1). Tyler Robertson entered and promptly permitted an RBI single to shallow center by Abreu, who is the Royals' No. 9 hitter.
Abreu had given Kansas City a 3-2 lead in the second inning when his single to shallow right field plated Mike Moustakas and Cain.
Tim Collins (5-2) relieved starter Luis Mendoza and picked up the victory despite yielding two runs on three hits in one inning. Two more relievers bridged the gap to Greg Holland, who retired the side in the ninth for his 10th save.
Chris Parmelee homered for the second straight contest and Joe Mauer had three hits for the Twins, who fell for just the fifth time in 15 meetings with the Royals.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Claimed off waivers from Arizona in September 2011, Vasquez made his first career start and was roughed up for five runs on seven hits to suffer the loss. ... Abreu entered the contest 8-for-28 with four RBIs in seven games this season. ... Kansas City will host a four-game series versus Texas, beginning on Monday. ... Minnesota will travel to Chicago to begin a three-game set against the White Sox on Monday.
Minnesota | Kansas City | |
Esmerling Vasquez | Player | Luis Mendoza |
Loss | W/L | No Decision |
5.2 | IP | 5.0 |
2 | Strikeouts | 3 |
7 | Hits | 7 |
7.94 | ERA | 3.60 |
Minnesota | Kansas City | |
Joe Mauer | Player | Tony Abreu |
3 | Hits | 3 |
0 | RBI | 3 |
0 | HR | 0 |
4 | TB | 3 |
.750 | Avg | .750 |
Team | Hits | HR | TB | Avg | LOB | K | RBI | BB | SB | Errors |
Minnesota | 11 | 1 | 15 | .306 | 12 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Kansas City | 11 | 0 | 14 | .333 | 18 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 |