Joe Mauer’s return and All-Star logo release day didn’t provide enough postive karma for the Twins to beat the Royals Tuesday night at Target Field.
Mauer and company got rocked by Mike Moustakas and Kansas City, 7-2.
Moustakas, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2007 draft, launched two home runs and drove in four to lead KC to its seventh straight win.
Mauer gave the Twins a 1-0 lead in the first inning when he slapped an RBI single to center. It was his first at-bat in six games. He left the Twins last Tuesday to help take care of his newborn twin daughters.
Despite pitching with the lead, Twins starter Mike Pelfrey (4-9) allowed four runs in the third inning — an RBI single by Miguel Tejada and a three-run shot to Moustakas.
Moustakas homered again in the eighth, this time against Brian Duensing.
Duensing gave up three runs on four hits in just one inning of relief.
Ervin Santana cruised through the Twins order to the tune of four hits allowed with eight strikeouts over seven innings.
Minnesota failed to get an extra-base hit in the game.
