GAME THREAD: AL: KANSAS CITY (60-75) at MINNESOTA (69-67)

AL: KANSAS CITY at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">KANSAS CITY (8) VS MINNESOTA (1) - FINAL

KANSAS CITY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D DeJesus cf 4 1 1 2 1 0 1 .269
M Grudzielanek 2b 4 0 1 0 1 0 0 .304
R Gload 1b 5 0 2 1 0 0 5 .300
M Sweeney dh 5 0 1 0 0 0 2 .251
A Gordon 3b 5 2 2 2 0 1 1 .249
S Costa rf 5 2 3 0 0 0 1 .233
J Buck c 5 2 3 2 0 0 2 .230
J Gathright lf 5 1 1 1 0 1 1 .315
T Pena Jr ss 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 .262

Totals 42 8 16 8 2 2 13

BATTING: 2B - D DeJesus (29, B Bonser); S Costa (5, J DePaula); T Pena Jr (21,
C Cali). HR - A Gordon 2 (14, 2nd inning off B Bonser 0 on, 0 Out, 3rd inning
off J DePaula 0 on, 0 Out), J Buck (17, 9th inning off P Neshek 1 on, 2 Out).
RBI - A Gordon 2 (50), J Gathright (16), D DeJesus 2 (54), R Gload (45), J Buck
2 (45). 2-out RBI - R Gload, J Buck 2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out
- M Sweeney 1, R Gload 3, J Buck 1. GIDP - J Gathright. Team LOB - 9.

FIELDING: DP: 2 (T Pena Jr-R Gload, T Pena Jr-M Grudzielanek-R Gload).


MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Tyner lf 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .293
J Bartlett ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .277
T Hunter cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .294
J Morneau dh 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 .278
M Cuddyer rf 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .279
M Redmond c 3 1 1 0 0 0 1 .296
G Jones 1b 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 .186
L Rodriguez 3b-2b 2 0 0 1 0 0 4 .202
N Punto 2b 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 .199
a-B Buscher ph-3b 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .242

Totals 29 1 6 1 0 2 7

a-grounded to first for N Punto in the 8th.

BATTING: SF - L Rodriguez. RBI - L Rodriguez (9). Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - L Rodriguez 1, J Tyner 1. GIDP - J Tyner, L Rodriguez. Team
LOB - 3.

BASERUNNING: CS - J Bartlett (3, 2nd base by B Bannister/J Buck).

FIELDING: E - J DePaula (1, throw). DP: 1 (J Bartlett-N Punto-G Jones).


----------------------------------------------------
KANSAS CITY - 051 000 002 -- 8
MINNESOTA - 000 000 010 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

KANSAS CITY ip h r er bb so hr era
B Bannister (W, 12-7) 8 6 1 1 0 1 0 3.15
J Soria 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.61

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
B Bonser (L, 6-12) 1 2/3 7 5 5 0 0 1 4.95
J DePaula 3 1/3 4 1 1 0 1 1 6.17
C Cali 2 1/3 3 0 0 2 1 0 4.34
P Neshek 1 2/3 2 2 2 0 0 1 2.83

IBB - M Grudzielanek (by C Cali). HBP - M Cuddyer (by B Bannister).
Pitches-strikes: B Bannister 101-67; J Soria 12-9; B Bonser 43-27; J DePaula
46-27; C Cali 45-26; P Neshek 24-17. Ground balls-fly balls: B Bannister 12-10;
J Soria 1-1; B Bonser 3-2; J DePaula 6-3; C Cali 2-4; P Neshek 3-2. Batters
faced: B Bannister 28; J Soria 3; B Bonser 12; J DePaula 13; C Cali 12; P
Neshek 7.

UMPIRES: HP--Jim Joyce. 1B--Jeff Nelson. 2B--Jim Wolf. 3B--Tim Tschida.

T--2:34. Att--26,454.
Weather: INDOORS</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
KANSAS CITY 8
MINNESOTA 1 FINAL</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
KANSAS CITY (8) AT MINNESOTA (1) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

KANSAS CITY 2ND: A Gordon homered to right. S Costa singled to left.
J Buck singled to left, S Costa to second. J Gathright singled to left,
S Costa scored, J Buck to second. T Pena Jr grounded out to second, J Buck
to third, J Gathright to second. D DeJesus doubled to deep right, J Buck
and J Gathright scored. M Grudzielanek fouled out to right, D DeJesus to
third. R Gload singled to right, D DeJesus scored. J DePaula relieved
B Bonser. R Gload safe at third on throwing error by pitcher J DePaula.
M Sweeney fouled out to left. (5 Runs, 6 Hits, 1 Error) KANSAS CITY 5,
MINNESOTA 0.

KANSAS CITY 3RD: A Gordon homered to right. S Costa grounded out to first.
J Buck singled to left. J Gathright grounded into double play, shortstop to
second to first, J Buck out at second.(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 6,
MINNESOTA 0.

MINNESOTA 8TH: M Redmond singled to center. G Jones singled to center,
M Redmond to third. L Rodriguez hit sacrifice fly to left, M Redmond scored.
B Buscher hit for N Punto. B Buscher grounded out to first, G Jones to second.
J Tyner grounded out to second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 6,
MINNESOTA 1.

KANSAS CITY 9TH: L Rodriguez at second base. B Buscher at third base.
M Sweeney flied out to center. A Gordon flied out to right. S Costa singled
to center. J Buck homered to left center, S Costa scored. J Gathright
grounded out to shortstop. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 8,
MINNESOTA 1.</div>

 

AL: KANSAS CITY at MINNESOTA

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
KANSAS CITY (8) AT MINNESOTA (1) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kansas City Starting Lineups -- D DeJesus CF, M Grudzielanek 2B, R Gload 1B,
M Sweeney DH, A Gordon 3B, S Costa RF, J Buck C, J Gathright LF, T Pena Jr SS,
B Bannister RHP.

Minnesota Starting Lineups -- J Tyner LF, J Bartlett SS, T Hunter CF, J Morneau DH,
M Cuddyer RF, M Redmond C, G Jones 1B, L Rodriguez 3B, N Punto 2B, B Bonser RHP.

Umpires -- Jim Joyce (HP), Jeff Nelson (1B), Jim Wolf (2B), Tim Tschida (3B).


Gametime Weather: INDOORS.


KANSAS CITY 1ST: D DeJesus grounded out to second. M Grudzielanek grounded
out to shortstop. R Gload singled to left center. M Sweeney fouled out to
second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 0, MINNESOTA 0.

MINNESOTA 1ST: J Tyner grounded out to second. J Bartlett singled to left.
J Bartlett caught stealing second, catcher to second. T Hunter grounded out to
second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 0, MINNESOTA 0.

KANSAS CITY 2ND: A Gordon homered to right. S Costa singled to left.
J Buck singled to left, S Costa to second. J Gathright singled to left,
S Costa scored, J Buck to second. T Pena Jr grounded out to second, J Buck
to third, J Gathright to second. D DeJesus doubled to deep right, J Buck
and J Gathright scored. M Grudzielanek fouled out to right, D DeJesus to
third. R Gload singled to right, D DeJesus scored. J DePaula relieved
B Bonser. R Gload safe at third on throwing error by pitcher J DePaula.
M Sweeney fouled out to left. (5 Runs, 6 Hits, 1 Error) KANSAS CITY 5,
MINNESOTA 0.

MINNESOTA 2ND: J Morneau grounded out to second. M Cuddyer hit by pitch.
M Redmond flied out to center. G Jones singled to right, M Cuddyer to third.
L Rodriguez flied out to center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 5,
MINNESOTA 0.

KANSAS CITY 3RD: A Gordon homered to right. S Costa grounded out to first.
J Buck singled to left. J Gathright grounded into double play, shortstop to
second to first, J Buck out at second.(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 6,
MINNESOTA 0.

MINNESOTA 3RD: N Punto reached on bunt single to third. J Tyner grounded
into double play, shortstop to first, N Punto out at second. J Bartlett flied
out to right. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 6, MINNESOTA 0.

KANSAS CITY 4TH: T Pena Jr grounded out to third. D DeJesus flied out to
right. M Grudzielanek reached on infield single to shortstop. R Gload
grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 6, MINNESOTA 0.

MINNESOTA 4TH: T Hunter flied out to center. J Morneau flied out to left.
M Cuddyer fouled out to first. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 6,
MINNESOTA 0.

KANSAS CITY 5TH: M Sweeney flied out to left. A Gordon struck out
swinging. S Costa doubled to deep right. J Buck grounded out to shortstop.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 6, MINNESOTA 0.

MINNESOTA 5TH: M Redmond grounded out to shortstop. G Jones reached on
infield single to second. L Rodriguez grounded into double play, shortstop
to second to first, G Jones out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
KANSAS CITY 6, MINNESOTA 0.

KANSAS CITY 6TH: C Cali relieved J DePaula. J Gathright struck out
swinging. T Pena Jr doubled to left. D DeJesus popped out to second.
M Grudzielanek intentionally walked. R Gload lined out to third. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 6, MINNESOTA 0.

MINNESOTA 6TH: N Punto struck out swinging. J Tyner flied out to left.
J Bartlett flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 6,
MINNESOTA 0.

KANSAS CITY 7TH: M Sweeney singled to center. A Gordon flied out to
center. S Costa flied out to left. J Buck grounded out to third. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 6, MINNESOTA 0.

MINNESOTA 7TH: T Hunter grounded out to third. J Morneau popped out to
first. M Cuddyer grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
KANSAS CITY 6, MINNESOTA 0.

KANSAS CITY 8TH: J Gathright grounded out to second. T Pena Jr reached on
infield single to first. D DeJesus walked, T Pena Jr to second. P Neshek
relieved C Cali. M Grudzielanek grounded out to third, T Pena Jr to third,
D DeJesus to second. R Gload grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors)
KANSAS CITY 6, MINNESOTA 0.

MINNESOTA 8TH: M Redmond singled to center. G Jones singled to center,
M Redmond to third. L Rodriguez hit sacrifice fly to left, M Redmond scored.
B Buscher hit for N Punto. B Buscher grounded out to first, G Jones to second.
J Tyner grounded out to second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 6,
MINNESOTA 1.

KANSAS CITY 9TH: L Rodriguez at second base. B Buscher at third base.
M Sweeney flied out to center. A Gordon flied out to right. S Costa singled
to center. J Buck homered to left center, S Costa scored. J Gathright
grounded out to shortstop. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 8,
MINNESOTA 1.

MINNESOTA 9TH: J Soria relieved B Bannister. J Bartlett flied out to left.
T Hunter struck out looking. J Morneau grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) KANSAS CITY 8, MINNESOTA 1.</div>

 

Bannister, Gordon carry Royals over Twins

<h3>KANSAS CITY 8, MINNESOTA 1</h3>By Brian Hall
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Two Kansas City Royals' rookies areproving they belong in the major leagues and providing thelong-struggling franchise some hope for the future.

Brian Bannister worked eight strong innings and Alex Gordon hadhis first career multi-homer game as the Royals took Sunday'sfinale of a four-game series with the Minnesota Twins, 8-1.

The win sealed a split of the set for Kansas City, whichimproved to 6-5 in its last 11 games.


Bannister (12-7), who entered the game leading all rookiepitchers with a 3.27 ERA and was second to Boston's DaisukeMatsuzaka in wins, earned his fourth straight victory, andseventh in eight decisions.


Gordon hit the first of his two homers on the day leading offthe second inning against Twins' starter Boof Bonser (6-12).Kansas City built off Gordon's shot with four more runs in adecisive frame.


Shane Costa, John Buck, and Joey Gathright had successivesingles to score the second run of the inning. David DeJesusadded a two-run double to right field and Gload finished off thescoring, chasing Bonser from the game with an RBI single.

Bonser went 1 2/3 innings for the shortest outing of his career.He gave up five runs and seven hits and did not record astrikeout, the first time this season he has failed to do so.

The righthander has one win in his last 11 decisions, with a5.56 ERA over that span.


Bannister has been strong since losing three straight in May,and Gordon - the second overall pick in the 2005 draft - mightjust be finding his place in the majors.


Gordon, who also homered on Saturday, added another solo shotleading off the third, his 14th of the year.


Bannister started September much the same way he finished thepast few months. He finished with a run and six hits allowed.

The righthander made the early run support stand as he retiredseven straight batters at one point. Bannister faced more thanfour batters just once in his first seven innings, not allowinga walk to go along with one strikeout and one hit-by-pitch.

The 26-year-old has won the team's pitcher of the month awardfor three straight months, the first Royals' pitcher since JeffMontgomery in 1987 to accomplish the feat.


Kansas City catcher John Buck topped the scoring with a two-runhomer in the ninth.


The Twins' struggling offense was again held in check. LuisRodriguez drove in the lone run on a sacrifice fly in theeighth, scoring Mike Redmond, who had singled leading off theinning and went to third on a base hit by Garrett Jones.

Minnesota dropped to 10 games behind the Cleveland Indians inthe American League Central as the two teams open a three-gameset Monday at the Metrodome. The Twins remained 7 1/2 gamesbehind the New York Yankees in the wild card.

 

Bannister, Gordon carry Royals over Twins

<h3>KANSAS CITY 8, MINNESOTA 1</h3>By Brian Hall
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Two Kansas City Royals' rookies areproving they belong in the major leagues and providing thelong-struggling franchise some hope for the future.

Brian Bannister worked eight strong innings and Alex Gordon hadhis first career multi-homer game as the Royals took Sunday'sfinale of a four-game series with the Minnesota Twins, 8-1.

The win sealed a split of the set for Kansas City, whichimproved to 6-5 in its last 11 games.


"We really needed this one, considering the way we have playedthe last two games," Royals manager Buddy Bell said.

Bannister (12-7), who entered the game leading all rookiepitchers with a 3.27 ERA and was second to Boston's DaisukeMatsuzaka in wins, earned his fourth straight victory, andseventh in eight decisions.


"The way the team is playing behind me, if they give me six,eight runs every night, you can ask me about it in a couple ofweeks," Bannister said of his chances for the Rookie of the Yearaward.


Gordon hit the first of his two homers on the day leading offthe second inning against Twins' starter Boof Bonser (6-12).Kansas City built off Gordon's shot with four more runs in adecisive frame.


Shane Costa, John Buck, and Joey Gathright had successivesingles to score the second run of the inning. David DeJesusadded a two-run double to right field and Gload finished off thescoring, chasing Bonser from the game with an RBI single.

"It all starts with your starter and he didn't give us anythingtoday," Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said.


"We got in a deep hole, and Bannister's been throwing very goodfor the Royals, and he did that again today. He moves the ballin-and-out, uses all of his pitches, and never gave us a chanceto even get back in the ballgame."


Bonser went 1 2/3 innings for the shortest outing of his career.He gave up five runs and seven hits and did not record astrikeout, the first time this season he has failed to do so.

The righthander has one win in his last 11 decisions, with a5.56 ERA over that span.


"It was just one of those were I had command of absolutelynothing," Bonser said. "The fastball was up in the zone, nooff-speed. There was absolutely nothing."


Bannister has been strong since losing three straight in May,and Gordon - the second overall pick in the 2005 draft - mightjust be finding his place in the majors.


Gordon, who also homered on Saturday, added another solo shotleading off the third, his 14th of the year.


"He is just another kid that keeps getting better defensivelyand offensively," Bell said. "It's not even as consistent as youare going to see here in the next year or so."


Bannister started September much the same way he finished thepast few months. He finished with a run and six hits allowed.

The righthander made the early run support stand as he retiredseven straight batters at one point. Bannister faced more thanfour batters just once in his first seven innings, not allowinga walk to go along with one strikeout and one hit-by-pitch.

The 26-year-old has won the team's pitcher of the month awardfor three straight months, the first Royals' pitcher since JeffMontgomery in 1987 to accomplish the feat.


"I was hitting my spots with all four pitches," Bannister said."Usually one stands out, and tonight I was able to be consistentwith all four of them, fastball, slider, curve, and changeup."

Kansas City catcher John Buck topped the scoring with a two-runhomer in the ninth.


The Twins' struggling offense was again held in check. LuisRodriguez drove in the lone run on a sacrifice fly in theeighth, scoring Mike Redmond, who had singled leading off theinning and went to third on a base hit by Garrett Jones.

Minnesota dropped to 10 games behind the Cleveland Indians inthe American League Central as the two teams open a three-gameset Monday at the Metrodome. The Twins remained 7 1/2 gamesbehind the New York Yankees in the wild card.


"We need to sweep them," Gardenhire said of the Indians."Anything other than that doesn't really do you any good.

"It's been desperate for a while around here."