GAME THREAD: AL: MINNESOTA (71-73) at KANSAS CITY (62-81)

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL AT KANSAS CITY - PITCHING CHANGE
KAN: JIMMY GOBBLE (4-1, 3.23) IN THE 9TH
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, J BARTLETT ON FIRST, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 6, KANSAS CITY 3

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J KUBEL (.269, 1-FOR-2)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL AT KANSAS CITY - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Gobble relieved L Nunez.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, J BARTLETT ON FIRST, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 6
KANSAS CITY 3 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J Kubel (.269, 1-FOR-2)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL AT KANSAS CITY - PITCHING CHANGE
KAN: RYAN BRAUN (2-0, 7.15) IN THE 9TH
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, J MAUER ON SECOND, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 6, KANSAS CITY 3

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: T HUNTER (.291, 2-FOR-4, RBI)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL AT KANSAS CITY - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: R Braun relieved J Gobble.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, J MAUER ON SECOND, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 6
KANSAS CITY 3 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: T Hunter (.291, 2-FOR-4, RBI)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
MINNESOTA 1 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 1 6 10 1
KANSAS CITY 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 12 2 (BOT 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: MIN - MATT GUERRIER
KAN - RYAN BRAUN

DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: M SWEENEY (.264, 1-FOR-4)
A GORDON (.257, 3-FOR-3, BB)
J BUCK (.234, 18 HR, 47 RBI)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA (6) VS KANSAS CITY (3) - MID 9TH - IN PROGRESS

MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Bartlett ss 4 1 2 1 1 1 0 .275
J Kubel dh 3 1 1 0 2 1 2 .268
J Mauer c 4 1 2 1 0 0 2 .294
T Hunter cf 4 1 2 1 1 0 3 .291
J Morneau 1b 4 0 1 1 0 0 4 .282
M Cuddyer rf 3 0 0 0 1 1 2 .275
J Tyner lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .294
L Rodriguez 3b 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 .216
N Punto 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .199
A Casilla 2b 4 2 2 0 0 1 0 .250

Totals 34 6 10 4 5 6 16

BATTING: 2B - J Mauer 2 (26, K Davies, J Gobble); J Morneau (31, L Nunez). SF -
J Morneau , J Mauer. RBI - T Hunter (100), J Morneau (105), J Mauer (54), J
Bartlett (41). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Morneau 1, L
Rodriguez 1, T Hunter 1. GIDP - J Tyner, J Kubel. Team LOB - 8.

BASERUNNING: SB - A Casilla (11, 2nd base off L Nunez/J Buck).

FIELDING: E - A Casilla (8, ground ball). DP: 1 (A Casilla-J Bartlett-J
Morneau).


KANSAS CITY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D DeJesus cf 5 0 2 0 0 0 3 .267
M Grudzielanek 2b 5 1 2 0 0 1 4 .301
M Teahen rf 5 0 1 1 0 1 3 .285
M Sweeney dh 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 .264
A Gordon 3b 3 1 3 0 1 0 0 .257
B Butler 1b 3 0 0 1 1 0 3 .296
E German pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .268
J Buck c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .234
J Gathright lf 3 0 1 0 1 1 3 .321
J LaRue c 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 .146
a-R Gload ph-1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 .296
T Pena Jr ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .256

Totals 35 3 12 3 3 4 21

a-grounded to shortstop for J Larue in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - A Gordon (32, S Baker); M Grudzielanek (30, S Baker); M Teahen
(26, S Baker). S - J LaRue. RBI - B Butler (45), J LaRue (13), M Teahen (55).
2-out RBI - J LaRue. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Grudzielanek
2, D DeJesus 1, J Gathright 1, M Teahen 1. GIDP - R Gload. Team LOB - 12.

FIELDING: E - B Butler (3, ground ball); J Gathright (4, bobble). DP: 2 (M
Grudzielanek-T Pena Jr-B Butler, R Gload-T Pena Jr-J Gobble).


----------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA - 100 003 101 -- 6
KANSAS CITY - 020 010 00 -- 3
----------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
S Baker 5 2/3 10 3 3 1 4 0 4.17
J Rincon 2/3 1 0 0 1 0 0 5.53
P Neshek 2/3 0 0 0 1 0 0 2.75
M Guerrier 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.34

KANSAS CITY ip h r er bb so hr era
K Davies 5 4 4 2 3 4 0 5.65
J Bale 1 2/3 2 1 1 1 2 0 4.19
L Nunez 1 1/3 3 1 1 0 0 0 4.63
J Gobble 2/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.19
R Braun 1/3 0 0 0 1 0 0 7.08

K Davies pitched to 3 batters in the 6th.
L Nunez pitched to 2 batters in the 9th.

IBB - A Gordon (by S Baker). Pitches-strikes: S Baker 85-55; J Rincon 20-10;
P Neshek 12-5; M Guerrier 9-4; K Davies 98-61; J Bale 31-20; L Nunez 20-12; J
Gobble 6-4; R Braun 9-3. Ground balls-fly balls: S Baker 6-7; J Rincon 1-1; P
Neshek 2-0; M Guerrier 1-2; K Davies 6-5; J Bale 1-2; L Nunez 2-2; J Gobble
2-0; R Braun 1-0. Batters faced: S Baker 29; J Rincon 4; P Neshek 2; M Guerrier
4; K Davies 22; J Bale 8; L Nunez 7; J Gobble 2; R Braun 2.

UMPIRES: HP--Larry Poncino. 1B--Brian Knight. 2B--Jerry Meals. 3B--Gary
Darling.
EJECTIONS: KANSAS CITY's Bell by Poncino (7th).
Weather: 75 degrees, clear. Wind: 7 mph, left to right.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL AT KANSAS CITY - PITCHING CHANGE
MIN: JOE NATHAN (3-2, 1.99) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 6, KANSAS CITY 3

DUE UP FOR KANSASCITY: M SWEENEY (.264, 1-FOR-4)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL AT KANSAS CITY - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Nathan relieved M Guerrier.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 6
KANSAS CITY 3 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: M Sweeney (.264, 1-FOR-4)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL AT KANSAS CITY - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: S Costa hit for J Buck.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, A GORDON ON SECOND, 1 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 6
KANSAS CITY 3 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: S Costa (.226, 0 HR, 12 RBI)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
MINNESOTA 1 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 1 6 10 1
KANSAS CITY 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 13 2 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: MIN - SCOTT BAKER, JUAN RINCON (6TH), PAT NESHEK (7TH), MATT
GUERRIER (8TH), JOE NATHAN (9TH) AND JOE MAUER

KAN - KYLE DAVIES, JOHN BALE (6TH), LEO NUNEZ (7TH),
JIMMY GOBBLE (9TH), RYAN BRAUN (9TH) AND JASON LARUE, JOHN
BUCK (8TH)

HOME RUNS: MIN - NONE

KAN - NONE</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
MINNESOTA 1 0 0 0 0 3 1 0 1 6 10 1
KANSAS CITY 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 13 2 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: MIN - SCOTT BAKER, JUAN RINCON (6TH), PAT NESHEK (7TH), MATT
GUERRIER (8TH), JOE NATHAN (9TH) AND JOE MAUER

KAN - KYLE DAVIES, JOHN BALE (6TH), LEO NUNEZ (7TH),
JIMMY GOBBLE (9TH), RYAN BRAUN (9TH) AND JASON LARUE, JOHN
BUCK (8TH)


WP - SCOTT BAKER (9-7)
LP - KYLE DAVIES (2-5)
SAVE - JOE NATHAN (32)

HOME RUNS: MIN - NONE

KAN - NONE


TIME: 3:20 ATT: 12,891

PROBABLES: MIN - CARLOS SILVA (11-13, 4.34)
KAN - GIL MECHE (7-12, 3.82)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA (6) VS KANSAS CITY (3) - FINAL

MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Bartlett ss 4 1 2 1 1 1 0 .275
J Kubel dh 3 1 1 0 2 1 2 .268
J Mauer c 4 1 2 1 0 0 2 .294
T Hunter cf 4 1 2 1 1 0 3 .291
J Morneau 1b 4 0 1 1 0 0 4 .282
M Cuddyer rf 3 0 0 0 1 1 2 .275
J Tyner lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .294
L Rodriguez 3b 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 .216
N Punto 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .199
A Casilla 2b 4 2 2 0 0 1 0 .250

Totals 34 6 10 4 5 6 16

BATTING: 2B - J Mauer 2 (26, K Davies, J Gobble); J Morneau (31, L Nunez). SF -
J Morneau , J Mauer. RBI - T Hunter (100), J Morneau (105), J Mauer (54), J
Bartlett (41). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - J Morneau 1, L
Rodriguez 1, T Hunter 1. GIDP - J Tyner, J Kubel. Team LOB - 8.

BASERUNNING: SB - A Casilla (11, 2nd base off L Nunez/J Buck).

FIELDING: E - A Casilla (8, ground ball). DP: 1 (A Casilla-J Bartlett-J
Morneau).


KANSAS CITY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D DeJesus cf 5 0 2 0 0 0 3 .267
M Grudzielanek 2b 5 1 2 0 0 1 4 .301
M Teahen rf 5 0 1 1 0 1 3 .285
M Sweeney dh 5 1 1 0 0 1 1 .263
A Gordon 3b 4 1 4 0 1 0 0 .258
B Butler 1b 3 0 0 1 1 0 3 .296
E German pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .268
J Buck c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .234
b-S Costa ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .223
J Gathright lf 4 0 1 0 1 1 4 .320
J LaRue c 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 .146
a-R Gload ph-1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 .296
T Pena Jr ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .256

Totals 39 3 13 3 3 4 22

a-grounded to shortstop for J Larue in the 7th; b-grounded to first for J Buck
in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - A Gordon 2 (33, J Nathan, S Baker); M Grudzielanek (30, S Baker);
M Teahen (26, S Baker). S - J LaRue. RBI - B Butler (45), J LaRue (13), M
Teahen (55). 2-out RBI - J LaRue. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M
Grudzielanek 2, D DeJesus 1, J Gathright 2, M Teahen 1. GIDP - R Gload. Team
LOB - 13.

FIELDING: E - B Butler (3, ground ball); J Gathright (4, bobble). DP: 2 (M
Grudzielanek-T Pena Jr-B Butler, R Gload-T Pena Jr-J Gobble).


----------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA - 100 003 101 -- 6
KANSAS CITY - 020 010 000 -- 3
----------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
S Baker (W, 9-7) 5 2/3 10 3 3 1 4 0 4.17
J Rincon (H, 12) 2/3 1 0 0 1 0 0 5.53
P Neshek (H, 15) 2/3 0 0 0 1 0 0 2.75
M Guerrier (H, 12) 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.34
J Nathan (S, 32) 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.96

KANSAS CITY ip h r er bb so hr era
K Davies (L, 2-5) 5 4 4 2 3 4 0 5.65
J Bale 1 2/3 2 1 1 1 2 0 4.19
L Nunez 1 1/3 3 1 1 0 0 0 4.63
J Gobble 2/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.19
R Braun 1/3 0 0 0 1 0 0 7.08

K Davies pitched to 3 batters in the 6th.
L Nunez pitched to 2 batters in the 9th.

IBB - A Gordon (by S Baker). Pitches-strikes: S Baker 85-55; J Rincon 20-10;
P Neshek 12-5; M Guerrier 9-4; J Nathan 15-9; K Davies 98-61; J Bale 31-20; L
Nunez 20-12; J Gobble 6-4; R Braun 9-3. Ground balls-fly balls: S Baker 6-7; J
Rincon 1-1; P Neshek 2-0; M Guerrier 1-2; J Nathan 2-1; K Davies 6-5; J Bale
1-2; L Nunez 2-2; J Gobble 2-0; R Braun 1-0. Batters faced: S Baker 29; J
Rincon 4; P Neshek 2; M Guerrier 4; J Nathan 4; K Davies 22; J Bale 8; L Nunez
7; J Gobble 2; R Braun 2.

UMPIRES: HP--Larry Poncino. 1B--Brian Knight. 2B--Jerry Meals. 3B--Gary
Darling.
EJECTIONS: KANSAS CITY's Bell by Poncino (7th).
T--3:20. Att--12,891.
Weather: 75 degrees, clear. Wind: 7 mph, left to
right.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
MINNESOTA 6
KANSAS CITY 3 FINAL</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (6) AT KANSAS CITY (3) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MINNESOTA 1ST: J Bartlett walked. J Kubel struck out looking. J Mauer
safe at first on error by first baseman B Butler, J Bartlett scored. T Hunter
flied out to center. J Morneau fouled out to third. (1 Run, 0 Hits, 1 Error)
MINNESOTA 1, KANSAS CITY 0.

KANSAS CITY 2ND: M Sweeney reached on infield single to second. A Gordon
doubled to deep right, M Sweeney to third. B Butler grounded out to second,
M Sweeney scored, A Gordon to third. J Gathright grounded out to first. J LaRue
singled to left, A Gordon scored. T Pena Jr singled to left, J LaRue to
second. D DeJesus safe at first on error by second baseman A Casilla, J LaRue
to third, T Pena Jr to second. M Grudzielanek struck out swinging. (2 Runs,
4 Hits, 1 Error) MINNESOTA 1, KANSAS CITY 2.

KANSAS CITY 5TH: M Grudzielanek doubled to deep left center. M Teahen
doubled to deep center, M Grudzielanek scored. M Sweeney grounded out to
shortstop. A Gordon intentionally walked. B Butler flied out to center.
J Gathright struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1,
KANSAS CITY 3.

MINNESOTA 6TH: J Kubel walked. J Mauer doubled to deep left, J Kubel to
third. T Hunter singled to left, J Kubel and J Mauer scored, T Hunter to third
on error by left fielder J Gathright. J Bale relieved K Davies. J Morneau hit
sacrifice fly to right, T Hunter scored. M Cuddyer struck out swinging.
J Tyner grounded out to pitcher. (3 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Error) MINNESOTA 4,
KANSAS CITY 3.

MINNESOTA 7TH: L Rodriguez struck out looking. A Casilla reached on bunt
single to pitcher. J Bartlett singled to left, A Casilla to second. J Kubel
walked, A Casilla to third, J Bartlett to second. J Mauer hit sacrifice fly to
center, A Casilla scored, J Bartlett to third. L Nunez relieved J Bale. Kansas
City's Manager B Bell ejected by L Poncino. T Hunter fouled out to first.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 5, KANSAS CITY 3.

MINNESOTA 9TH: A Casilla reached on bunt single to pitcher. A Casilla
stole second. J Bartlett singled to center, A Casilla scored. J Gobble
relieved L Nunez. J Kubel grounded into double play, first to shortstop to
pitcher, J Bartlett out at second. J Mauer doubled to deep center. R Braun
relieved J Gobble. T Hunter walked. J Morneau grounded into fielder's choice
to pitcher, T Hunter out at second. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 6,
KANSAS CITY 3.</div>

 

Baker dominates Royals again, leads Twins to win

<h3>MINNESOTA 6, KANSAS CITY 3</h3>By Pat Madden
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- Although he was less thanperfect, Minnesota's Scott Baker was dominant enough inwinning his third game of the season against Kansas City in a6-3 victory.


In his last start against the Royals, Baker (9-7) took a perfectgame into the ninth inning before settling for a one-hitshutout on August 31 in Minneapolis.


In this start, he allowed three runs and 10 hits over 5 2/3innings. The 25-year-old righthander struck out four whilewalking one and has given up just four earned runs in 22 2/3innings against Kansas City this season.


Three relievers bridged the gap to Joe Nathan, who pitched theninth for his 32nd save of the season.


Torii Hunter recorded two hits and scored a run for the Twins,who won their third consecutive game.


Kyle Davies (2-5) absorbed the loss for the Royals, allowingfour runs on four hits in five innings. The righthander struckout four and walked three.


Minnesota jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning as JasonBartlett led off the game with a walk and scored on Kansas City<div class="pre">first baseman Billy Butler's misplay of Joe Mauer's grounder.</div>

The Royals took the lead in the second inning on Butler's runscoring fielder's choice and a two-out single by Jason LaRue.

Kansas City extended its lead to 3-1 in the fifth inning onback-to-back doubles by Mark Grudzielanek and Mark Teahen thatproduced a run.


The Twins came back to take the lead in the sixth inning onanother Royals error, this time by Joey Gathright on a Huntersingle that scored Jason Kubel and Mauer. Hunter then scoredthe go-ahead run on Justin Morneau's sacrifice fly.

Mauer's sacrifice fly in the seventh inning accounted for theTwins's fifth run and Bartlett added an insurance run in theninth on an RBI single.


The Royals had a chance to take the lead in the seventh whenthey loaded the bases with one out. But, reliever Pat Neshekgot pinch hitter Ross Gload to ground into the inning-endingdouble play as the Twins escaped the jam.


Alex Gordon went 4-for-4 for the Royals, who extended theirlosing streak to seven games.

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (6) AT KANSAS CITY (3) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Minnesota Starting Lineups -- J Bartlett SS, J Kubel DH, J Mauer C, T Hunter CF,
J Morneau 1B, M Cuddyer RF, J Tyner LF, L Rodriguez 3B, A Casilla 2B, S Baker RHP.

Kansas City Starting Lineups -- D DeJesus CF, M Grudzielanek 2B, M Teahen RF,
M Sweeney DH, A Gordon 3B, B Butler 1B, J Gathright LF, J LaRue C, T Pena Jr SS,
K Davies RHP.

Umpires -- Larry Poncino (HP), Brian Knight (1B), Jerry Meals (2B),
Gary Darling (3B).

Gametime Weather: 75 degrees, Clear, wind left to right at 7 mph.


MINNESOTA 1ST: J Bartlett walked. J Kubel struck out looking. J Mauer
safe at first on error by first baseman B Butler, J Bartlett scored. T Hunter
flied out to center. J Morneau fouled out to third. (1 Run, 0 Hits, 1 Error)
MINNESOTA 1, KANSAS CITY 0.

KANSAS CITY 1ST: D DeJesus grounded out to shortstop. M Grudzielanek flied
out to center. M Teahen struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 1, KANSAS CITY 0.

MINNESOTA 2ND: M Cuddyer walked. J Tyner grounded into double play, second
to shortstop to first, M Cuddyer out at second. L Rodriguez struck out looking.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, KANSAS CITY 0.

KANSAS CITY 2ND: M Sweeney reached on infield single to second. A Gordon
doubled to deep right, M Sweeney to third. B Butler grounded out to second,
M Sweeney scored, A Gordon to third. J Gathright grounded out to first. J LaRue
singled to left, A Gordon scored. T Pena Jr singled to left, J LaRue to
second. D DeJesus safe at first on error by second baseman A Casilla, J LaRue
to third, T Pena Jr to second. M Grudzielanek struck out swinging. (2 Runs,
4 Hits, 1 Error) MINNESOTA 1, KANSAS CITY 2.

MINNESOTA 3RD: A Casilla struck out looking. J Bartlett struck out
looking. J Kubel singled to right center. J Mauer grounded out to second.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, KANSAS CITY 2.

KANSAS CITY 3RD: M Teahen flied out to left. M Sweeney struck out
swinging. A Gordon singled to center. B Butler flied out to right. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, KANSAS CITY 2.

MINNESOTA 4TH: T Hunter singled to center. J Morneau grounded into
fielder's choice to first, T Hunter out at second. M Cuddyer lined out to
center. J Tyner popped out to third. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1,
KANSAS CITY 2.

KANSAS CITY 4TH: J Gathright singled to center. J LaRue sacrificed to
pitcher, J Gathright to second. T Pena Jr popped out to shortstop. D DeJesus
flied out to left. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1, KANSAS CITY 2.

MINNESOTA 5TH: L Rodriguez lined out to center. A Casilla grounded out to
shortstop. J Bartlett grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 1, KANSAS CITY 2.

KANSAS CITY 5TH: M Grudzielanek doubled to deep left center. M Teahen
doubled to deep center, M Grudzielanek scored. M Sweeney grounded out to
shortstop. A Gordon intentionally walked. B Butler flied out to center.
J Gathright struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 1,
KANSAS CITY 3.

MINNESOTA 6TH: J Kubel walked. J Mauer doubled to deep left, J Kubel to
third. T Hunter singled to left, J Kubel and J Mauer scored, T Hunter to third
on error by left fielder J Gathright. J Bale relieved K Davies. J Morneau hit
sacrifice fly to right, T Hunter scored. M Cuddyer struck out swinging.
J Tyner grounded out to pitcher. (3 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Error) MINNESOTA 4,
KANSAS CITY 3.

KANSAS CITY 6TH: J LaRue flied out to right. T Pena Jr grounded out to
second. D DeJesus singled to center. M Grudzielanek singled to center,
D DeJesus to second. J Rincon relieved S Baker. M Teahen grounded out to third.
(0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 4, KANSAS CITY 3.

MINNESOTA 7TH: L Rodriguez struck out looking. A Casilla reached on bunt
single to pitcher. J Bartlett singled to left, A Casilla to second. J Kubel
walked, A Casilla to third, J Bartlett to second. J Mauer hit sacrifice fly to
center, A Casilla scored, J Bartlett to third. L Nunez relieved J Bale. Kansas
City's Manager B Bell ejected by L Poncino. T Hunter fouled out to first.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 5, KANSAS CITY 3.

KANSAS CITY 7TH: M Sweeney flied out to right. A Gordon singled to center.
B Butler walked, A Gordon to second. P Neshek relieved J Rincon. E German ran
for B Butler. J Gathright walked, A Gordon to third, E German to second.
R Gload hit for J LaRue. R Gload grounded into double play, second to shortstop
to first, J Gathright out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 5,
KANSAS CITY 3.

MINNESOTA 8TH: J Buck catching. R Gload at first base. J Morneau doubled to
deep right. M Cuddyer grounded out to third. J Tyner grounded out to second,
J Morneau to third. L Rodriguez flied out to center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 5, KANSAS CITY 3.

KANSAS CITY 8TH: N Punto at third base. M Guerrier relieved P Neshek.
T Pena Jr flied out to right. D DeJesus singled to left. M Grudzielanek flied
out to left. M Teahen grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 5, KANSAS CITY 3.

MINNESOTA 9TH: A Casilla reached on bunt single to pitcher. A Casilla
stole second. J Bartlett singled to center, A Casilla scored. J Gobble
relieved L Nunez. J Kubel grounded into double play, first to shortstop to
pitcher, J Bartlett out at second. J Mauer doubled to deep center. R Braun
relieved J Gobble. T Hunter walked. J Morneau grounded into fielder's choice
to pitcher, T Hunter out at second. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 6,
KANSAS CITY 3.

KANSAS CITY 9TH: J Nathan relieved M Guerrier. M Sweeney popped out to
shortstop. A Gordon doubled to deep right. S Costa hit for J Buck. S Costa
grounded out to first, A Gordon to third. J Gathright grounded out to
shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 6, KANSAS CITY 3.</div>

 

Baker beats Royals again, leads Twins to win

<h3>MINNESOTA 6, KANSAS CITY 3</h3>By Pat Madden
A SportsTicker Contributing Writer


KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) - Although he was less thanperfect, Minnesota's Scott Baker was good enough in winning histhird game of the season against Kansas City in a 6-3 victory.

In his last start against the Royals, Baker (9-7) took a perfectgame into the ninth inning before settling for a one-hitshutout on August 31 in Minneapolis.


In this start, he allowed three runs and 10 hits over 5 2/3innings. The 25-year-old righthander struck out four whilewalking one and has given up just four earned runs in 22 2/3innings against Kansas City this season.


"I was just kind of all over the place, but I made some goodpitches when I needed to," Baker said. "I wasn't making greatpitches; there were some I left over the plate and they put thebat on the ball. It was more me not locating more so than themmaking any drastic adjustments."


"Baker was pretty good," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Hemade pitches when he had to and got us deep into the game. Hebattled through it with 10 hits. He got a chance to get a win;that's what it's all about. It's hard to face a team after youpitch like he did at home and have some success and face theseguys over and over again."


Three relievers bridged the gap to Joe Nathan, who pitched theninth for his 32nd save of the season.


"It's good after a tough stretch for us when we're not playingwell," Nathan said. "It's really nice to come in here and havea chance to win maybe four in a row."


Torii Hunter recorded two hits and scored a run for the Twins,who won their third consecutive game.


"It was a good win for us tonight, a good ballgame all around,"Gardenhire said. "It's been a fun couple of days around here."

Kyle Davies (2-5) absorbed the loss for the Royals, allowingfour runs on four hits in five innings. The righthander struckout four and walked three.


"I felt good about what's going on when we're up 3-1, but Ican't walk them," Davies said. "Walking the first batter?Obviously that's something I need to work on. If I get thatfirst guy out it changes the game. I have to realize that youdon't have to be that fine to the first batter. I have to throwstrikes. If he hits it, he hits it. You have to be moreaggressive."


Minnesota jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning as JasonBartlett led off the game with a walk and scored on Kansas City<div class="pre">first baseman Billy Butler's misplay of Joe Mauer's grounder.</div>

The Royals took the lead in the second inning on Butler's runscoring fielder's choice and a two-out single by Jason LaRue.

Kansas City extended its lead to 3-1 in the fifth inning onback-to-back doubles by Mark Grudzielanek and Mark Teahen thatproduced a run.


The Twins came back to take the lead in the sixth inning onanother Royals error, this time by Joey Gathright on a Huntersingle that scored Jason Kubel and Mauer. Hunter then scoredthe go-ahead run on Justin Morneau's sacrifice fly.

"He was really in control of the strike zone," Royals managerBuddy Bell said of Davies' outing. "He walked Kubel and Mauergot the base hit, then Torii hit that rocket."


Mauer's sacrifice fly in the seventh inning accounted for theTwins's fifth run and Bartlett added an insurance run in theninth on an RBI single.


The Royals had a chance to take the lead in the seventh whenthey loaded the bases with one out. But, reliever Pat Neshekgot pinch hitter Ross Gload to ground into the inning-endingdouble play as the Twins escaped the jam.


Alex Gordon went 4-for-4 for the Royals, who extended theirlosing streak to seven games.


"The frustrating thing is that we just can't seem to get the bighit," Bell said. "We just have to keep swinging the bats."