Minneapolis, MINN — James Shields (9-8) threw a gem to lead the Royals over the Twins, 6-1 Tuesday night at Target Field.
Kevin Correia was almost as good as Shields. Correia pitched seven shutout innings before giving way to Jared Burton (2-8), who gave the game away in the eighth.
Burton’s inning of relief was a total disaster. He allowed four runs on three hits and a walk, and he recorded only one out. Most of the damage came on Alex Gordon’s three-run double.
Correia allowed just six hits while striking out seven in his quality start.
Josh Willingham’s single in the bottom of the second inning was Minnesota’s only hit of the game until Trevor Plouffe started the eighth with an infield single.
Brian Dozier then drove in the Twins’ only run of the game with a double in the eighth.
Minnesota finished with four hits.
Shields earned the win, throwing 7 1/3 innings and giving up just one run. He struck out seven.
The Royals seem to be back on track. Three straight wins have come following a seven game losing streak.
