The Kansas City Royals beat the Twins 3-1 Monday night, to take the opener of an important series at Target Field.
The Twins came into the game leading the Royals by just one game in the American League Central Division, but Kansas City’s win puts the teams in a tie for first.
The Royals took the early lead on a second inning two-run homer by Kendrys Morales.
Kansas City starter Jason Vargas (5-2) then took over, improving on his last Target Field start where he was scorched for five runs and 10 hits. This time, he held the Twins scoreless for six innings.
After giving up the two-run homer to Morales, Twins starter Phil Hughes settled down, working into the eighth inning and giving up just two runs.
The Twins cut the Royals lead to one on a solo home run from rookie Eddie Rosario.
After Rosario’s homer, Eduardo Escobar and Aaron Hicks followed with singles, but the Twins failed to tie it up as Brian Dozier struck out, stranding both runners.
Then in the eighth, the Royals put together a two-out rally of their own as Eric Hosmer singled to right off Twins reliever Aaron Thompson to score Mike Moustakas, and put the Royals up by two.
Aaron Thompson moves back into the AL lead with his 29th appearance. Concern mounting as he struggles again.
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) June 9, 2015
After a scoreless eighth inning from Wade Davis, Royals closer Greg Holland recorded his 10th save in a 1-2-3 ninth.
The series continues on Tuesday as the Twins will send Trevor May to the mound against Kansas City’s Chris Young.
