GAME THREAD: AL: MINNESOTA (58-55) at KANSAS CITY (49-63)

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL AT KANSAS CITY - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Soria relieved J Gobble.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, J BARTLETT ON FIRST, A CASILLA ON SECOND, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 0
KANSAS CITY 1 TOP, 8TH

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: M Cuddyer (.285, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

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

CURRENT PITCHERS: MIN - DENNYS REYES
KAN - JOAKIM SORIA

DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: T PENA JR (.276, 1-FOR-2)
J GATHRIGHT (.358, 0-FOR-1, SAC)
J LARUE (.156, 0-FOR-1, SF, RBI)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA (0) VS KANSAS CITY (1) - MID 8TH - IN PROGRESS

MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Casilla 2b 3 0 2 0 1 0 0 .250
J Bartlett ss 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .260
J Mauer c 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 .297
M Cuddyer rf 4 0 0 0 0 4 3 .284
J Morneau 1b 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .288
T Hunter cf 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 .294
J Kubel lf 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 .248
R White dh 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 .143
L Rodriguez 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .198

Totals 28 0 4 0 3 7 12

BATTING: 2B - J Kubel (19, K Davies). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out -
M Cuddyer 2, R White 2, J Mauer 1. Team LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: SB - A Casilla (5, 2nd base off K Davies/J LaRue).

FIELDING: Outfield assists - T Hunter (M Teahen at 2nd base). DP: 1 (A
Casilla-J Bartlett-J Morneau).


KANSAS CITY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D DeJesus cf 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 .282
E German 2b 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .286
M Teahen rf 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .290
B Butler dh 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .295
R Gload 1b 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 .303
A Gordon 3b 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 .236
T Pena Jr ss 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 .276
J Gathright lf 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .358
J LaRue c 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 .156

Totals 22 1 5 1 0 6 3

BATTING: 2B - T Pena Jr (20, M Garza). S - J Gathright. SF - J LaRue. RBI - J
LaRue (12). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A Gordon 1. GIDP - M
Teahen. Team LOB - 2.


----------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA - 000 000 00 -- 0
KANSAS CITY - 001 000 0 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
M Garza 6 2/3 4 1 1 0 6 0 1.70
D Reyes 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.39

KANSAS CITY ip h r er bb so hr era
K Davies 6 2/3 3 0 0 2 5 0 4.66
Z Greinke 2/3 1 0 0 1 1 0 4.68
J Gobble 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.13
J Soria 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.27

WP - K Davies. Pitches-strikes: M Garza 103-72; D Reyes 6-3; K Davies 104-65;
Z Greinke 19-11; J Gobble 4-3; J Soria 4-3. Ground balls-fly balls: M Garza
7-6; D Reyes 1-0; K Davies 7-8; Z Greinke 0-1; J Gobble 0-1; J Soria 0-0.
Batters faced: M Garza 22; D Reyes 2; K Davies 25; Z Greinke 4; J Gobble 1; J
Soria 1.

UMPIRES: HP--Mike Everitt. 1B--Gerry Davis. 2B--Brian Gorman. 3B--Paul
Nauert.

Weather: 91 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 6 mph, out to right.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL AT KANSAS CITY - PITCHING CHANGE
MIN: PAT NESHEK (6-1, 2.01) STARTING THE 8TH
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 0, KANSAS CITY 1

DUE UP FOR KANSASCITY: T PENA JR (.276, 1-FOR-2)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">AL AT KANSAS CITY - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: P Neshek relieved D Reyes.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: MINNESOTA 0
KANSAS CITY 1 BOTTOM, 8TH

DUE UP FOR KANSAS CITY: T Pena Jr (.276, 1-FOR-2)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

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

CURRENT PITCHERS: MIN - PAT NESHEK
KAN - JOAKIM SORIA

DUE UP FOR MINNESOTA: J MORNEAU (.288, 0-FOR-3)
T HUNTER (.294, 1-FOR-3)
J KUBEL (.248, 1-FOR-2, BB)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA (0) VS KANSAS CITY (1) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS

MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Casilla 2b 3 0 2 0 1 0 0 .250
J Bartlett ss 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .260
J Mauer c 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 .297
M Cuddyer rf 4 0 0 0 0 4 3 .284
J Morneau 1b 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .288
T Hunter cf 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 .294
J Kubel lf 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 .248
R White dh 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 .143
L Rodriguez 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .198

Totals 28 0 4 0 3 7 12

BATTING: 2B - J Kubel (19, K Davies). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out -
M Cuddyer 2, R White 2, J Mauer 1. Team LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: SB - A Casilla (5, 2nd base off K Davies/J LaRue).

FIELDING: Outfield assists - T Hunter (M Teahen at 2nd base). DP: 1 (A
Casilla-J Bartlett-J Morneau).


KANSAS CITY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D DeJesus cf 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 .282
E German 2b 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .286
M Teahen rf 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .290
B Butler dh 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .295
R Gload 1b 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 .303
A Gordon 3b 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 .236
T Pena Jr ss 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 .275
J Gathright lf 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .354
J LaRue c 2 0 0 1 0 1 0 .155

Totals 25 1 5 1 0 7 3

BATTING: 2B - T Pena Jr (20, M Garza). S - J Gathright. SF - J LaRue. RBI - J
LaRue (12). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A Gordon 1. GIDP - M
Teahen. Team LOB - 2.


----------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA - 000 000 00 -- 0
KANSAS CITY - 001 000 00 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
M Garza 6 2/3 4 1 1 0 6 0 1.70
D Reyes 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.39
P Neshek 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.98

KANSAS CITY ip h r er bb so hr era
K Davies 6 2/3 3 0 0 2 5 0 4.66
Z Greinke 2/3 1 0 0 1 1 0 4.68
J Gobble 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.13
J Soria 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.27

WP - K Davies. Pitches-strikes: M Garza 103-72; D Reyes 6-3; P Neshek 11-7; K
Davies 104-65; Z Greinke 19-11; J Gobble 4-3; J Soria 4-3. Ground balls-fly
balls: M Garza 7-6; D Reyes 1-0; P Neshek 1-1; K Davies 7-8; Z Greinke 0-1; J
Gobble 0-1; J Soria 0-0. Batters faced: M Garza 22; D Reyes 2; P Neshek 3; K
Davies 25; Z Greinke 4; J Gobble 1; J Soria 1.

UMPIRES: HP--Mike Everitt. 1B--Gerry Davis. 2B--Brian Gorman. 3B--Paul
Nauert.

Weather: 91 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 6 mph, out to right.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

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

BATTERIES: MIN - MATT GARZA, DENNYS REYES (7TH), PAT NESHEK (8TH) AND JOE MAUER

KAN - KYLE DAVIES, ZACK GREINKE (7TH), JIMMY GOBBLE
(8TH), JOAKIM SORIA (8TH) AND JASON LARUE

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 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
KANSAS CITY 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 x 1 5 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: MIN - MATT GARZA, DENNYS REYES (7TH), PAT NESHEK (8TH) AND JOE MAUER

KAN - KYLE DAVIES, ZACK GREINKE (7TH), JIMMY GOBBLE
(8TH), JOAKIM SORIA (8TH) AND JASON LARUE


WP - KYLE DAVIES (1-0)
LP - MATT GARZA (1-3)
SAVE - JOAKIM SORIA (12)

HOME RUNS: MIN - NONE

KAN - NONE


TIME: 2:51 ATT: 14,569

PROBABLES: TOR - SHAUN MARCUM (8-4, 3.63)
KAN - GIL MECHE (7-9, 3.96)

PROBABLES: MIN - SCOTT BAKER (6-4, 4.43)
LAA - KELVIM ESCOBAR (11-6, 2.79)</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA (0) VS KANSAS CITY (1) - FINAL

MINNESOTA ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
A Casilla 2b 3 0 2 0 1 0 0 .250
J Bartlett ss 3 0 0 0 1 0 2 .260
J Mauer c 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 .297
M Cuddyer rf 4 0 0 0 0 4 3 .284
J Morneau 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .287
T Hunter cf 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .294
J Kubel lf 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .248
R White dh 3 0 0 0 0 1 3 .143
L Rodriguez 3b 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .198

Totals 31 0 4 0 3 7 12

BATTING: 2B - J Kubel (19, K Davies). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out -
M Cuddyer 2, R White 2, J Mauer 1. Team LOB - 7.

BASERUNNING: SB - A Casilla (5, 2nd base off K Davies/J LaRue).

FIELDING: Outfield assists - T Hunter (M Teahen at 2nd base). DP: 1 (A
Casilla-J Bartlett-J Morneau).


KANSAS CITY ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
D DeJesus cf 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 .282
E German 2b 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .286
M Teahen rf 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .290
B Butler dh 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 .295
R Gload 1b 3 0 1 0 0 1 0 .303
A Gordon 3b 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 .236
T Pena Jr ss 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 .275
J Gathright lf 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .354
J LaRue c 2 0 0 1 0 1 0 .155

Totals 25 1 5 1 0 7 3

BATTING: 2B - T Pena Jr (20, M Garza). S - J Gathright. SF - J LaRue. RBI - J
LaRue (12). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A Gordon 1. GIDP - M
Teahen. Team LOB - 2.


----------------------------------------------------
MINNESOTA - 000 000 000 -- 0
KANSAS CITY - 001 000 00x -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

MINNESOTA ip h r er bb so hr era
M Garza (L, 1-3) 6 2/3 4 1 1 0 6 0 1.70
D Reyes 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.39
P Neshek 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.98

KANSAS CITY ip h r er bb so hr era
K Davies (W, 1-0) 6 2/3 3 0 0 2 5 0 4.66
Z Greinke (H, 11) 2/3 1 0 0 1 1 0 4.68
J Gobble (H, 10) 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.13
J Soria (S, 12) 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.22

WP - K Davies. Pitches-strikes: M Garza 103-72; D Reyes 6-3; P Neshek 11-7; K
Davies 104-65; Z Greinke 19-11; J Gobble 4-3; J Soria 15-11. Ground balls-fly
balls: M Garza 7-6; D Reyes 1-0; P Neshek 1-1; K Davies 7-8; Z Greinke 0-1; J
Gobble 0-1; J Soria 1-2. Batters faced: M Garza 22; D Reyes 2; P Neshek 3; K
Davies 25; Z Greinke 4; J Gobble 1; J Soria 4.

UMPIRES: HP--Mike Everitt. 1B--Gerry Davis. 2B--Brian Gorman. 3B--Paul
Nauert.

T--2:51. Att--14,569.
Weather: 91 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 6 mph, out to
right.</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
MINNESOTA 0
KANSAS CITY 1 FINAL</div>

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (0) AT KANSAS CITY (1) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

KANSAS CITY 3RD: T Pena Jr doubled to left. J Gathright sacrificed to
first, T Pena Jr to third. J LaRue hit sacrifice fly to center, T Pena Jr
scored. D DeJesus flied out to left. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
KANSAS CITY 1.</div>

 

Davies, Royals crown Twins

<h3>KANSAS CITY 1, MINNESOTA 0</h3>KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- Kyle Davies' life has beenanything but normal in the past 10 days.


But on Thursday, Davies was masterful, tossing 6 2/3 scorelessinnings as the Kansas City Royals held the Minnesota Twins tothree hits in their 1-0 victory. He struck out five and walkedtwo, throwing 62 strikes in 97 pitches.


For Davies, returning to normalcy was a welcome change.

Davies was traded on July 31 by Atlanta to Kansas City, joinedthe Royals the next day in Minneapolis just as manager BuddyBell resigned effective at the end of the season and the bridgecollapsed near the Metrodome to cause a game to be postponed.

In addition, his first American League start Saturday came atYankee Stadium, where he gave up Alex Rodriguez's 500th careerhome run in the first inning.


Davies made his first Kauffman Stadium start on Thursday anddemonstrated first-hand why the Royals sought the 23-year-oldright-hander in the deal for closer Octavio Dotel.

Davies (1-0) bested Matt Garza (1-3), who allowed one run onfour hits, while walking none and striking out six in 6 2/3innings. The Twins have scored two or fewer runs in five ofGarza's six starts since he was called up last month.

The Royals scored their only run in the third, which Tony PenaJr. led off with a double to left. He advanced to third on JoeyGathright's sacrifice bunt and scored on Jason LaRue'ssacrifice fly to Torii Hunter in center.


Davies did not allow a hit until Jason Kubel's two-out double inthe fifth. He was stranded when Rondell White grounded out toAlex Gordon.


Davis began the game by walking Alexi Casilla, who went tosecond on a wild pitch. Casilla, however, did not advancebeyond second as Davies retired Jason Bartlett on a pop up tosecond, Joe Mauer on a fly to center and struck out MichaelCuddyer.


Casilla singled with one out in the sixth and stole second, butDavies retired Bartlett on a fly to David DeJesus and Mauer on aground ball to Pena.


The Royals needed three pitchers to get out of an eight inningjam. Zack Greinke began the inning, but with one out he gave upa single to Casilla and walked Bartlett. Left-hander JimmyGobble was summoned to face Joe Mauer, who flied out to Pena.Joakim Soria was brought into face Cuddyer, who struck out forthe fourth time to end the inning.


Soria, who replaced Dotel as the closer, earned his 12th save in15 opportunities.


The Twins, who collected 19 hits in their 11-4 victory onWednesday, went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

 

AL: MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINNESOTA (0) AT KANSAS CITY (1) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

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

Umpires -- Mike Everitt (HP), Gerry Davis (1B), Brian Gorman (2B), Paul Nauert (3B).

Gametime Weather: 91 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind out to right at 6 mph.


MINNESOTA 1ST: A Casilla walked. A Casilla to second on wild pitch by
K Davies. J Bartlett lined out to second. J Mauer flied out to left. M Cuddyer
struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, KANSAS CITY 0.

KANSAS CITY 1ST: D DeJesus struck out swinging. E German singled to right.
M Teahen grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, E German out
at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, KANSAS CITY 0.

MINNESOTA 2ND: J Morneau struck out swinging. T Hunter struck out looking.
J Kubel lined out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
KANSAS CITY 0.

KANSAS CITY 2ND: B Butler flied out to right. R Gload struck out swinging.
A Gordon struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, KANSAS CITY 0.

MINNESOTA 3RD: R White flied out to center. L Rodriguez grounded out to
shortstop. A Casilla grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, KANSAS CITY 0.

KANSAS CITY 3RD: T Pena Jr doubled to left. J Gathright sacrificed to
first, T Pena Jr to third. J LaRue hit sacrifice fly to center, T Pena Jr
scored. D DeJesus flied out to left. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
KANSAS CITY 1.

MINNESOTA 4TH: J Bartlett grounded out to third. J Mauer grounded out to
second. M Cuddyer struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
KANSAS CITY 1.

KANSAS CITY 4TH: E German grounded out to third. M Teahen flied out to
center. B Butler grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, KANSAS CITY 1.

MINNESOTA 5TH: J Morneau fouled out to third. T Hunter fouled out to
first. J Kubel doubled to deep right. R White grounded out to third. (0 Runs,
1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, KANSAS CITY 1.

KANSAS CITY 5TH: R Gload grounded out to pitcher. A Gordon struck out
swinging. T Pena Jr fouled out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
KANSAS CITY 1.

MINNESOTA 6TH: L Rodriguez grounded out to first. A Casilla singled to
center. A Casilla stole second. J Bartlett flied out to center. J Mauer
grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, KANSAS CITY 1.

KANSAS CITY 6TH: J Gathright struck out looking. J LaRue grounded out to
shortstop. D DeJesus struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
MINNESOTA 0, KANSAS CITY 1.

MINNESOTA 7TH: M Cuddyer struck out looking. J Morneau flied out to
center. T Hunter singled to left. J Kubel walked, T Hunter to second.
Z Greinke relieved K Davies. R White struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, KANSAS CITY 1.

KANSAS CITY 7TH: E German fouled out to right. M Teahen singled to center,
M Teahen out stretching at second. B Butler singled to right. D Reyes
relieved M Garza. R Gload singled to center, B Butler to second. A Gordon
grounded out to first. (0 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, KANSAS CITY 1.

MINNESOTA 8TH: L Rodriguez flied out to left. A Casilla singled to right
center. J Bartlett walked, A Casilla to second. J Gobble relieved Z Greinke.
J Mauer popped out to shortstop. J Soria relieved J Gobble. M Cuddyer struck
out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, KANSAS CITY 1.

KANSAS CITY 8TH: P Neshek relieved D Reyes. T Pena Jr grounded out to
shortstop. J Gathright popped out to shortstop. J LaRue struck out swinging.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0, KANSAS CITY 1.

MINNESOTA 9TH: J Morneau lined out to third. T Hunter grounded out to
catcher. J Kubel flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) MINNESOTA 0,
KANSAS CITY 1.</div>

 

Davies, Royals crown Twins

<h3>KANSAS CITY 1, MINNESOTA 0</h3>KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- Kyle Davies' life has beenanything but normal in the past 10 days.


But on Thursday, Davies was masterful, tossing 6 2/3 scorelessinnings as the Kansas City Royals held the Minnesota Twins tothree hits in their 1-0 victory. He struck out five and walkedtwo, throwing 62 strikes in 97 pitches.


For Davies, returning to normalcy was a welcome change.

Davies was traded on July 31 by Atlanta to Kansas City, joinedthe Royals the next day in Minneapolis just as manager BuddyBell resigned effective at the end of the season and the bridgecollapsed near the Metrodome to cause a game to be postponed.

In addition, his first American League start Saturday came atYankee Stadium, where he gave up Alex Rodriguez's 500th careerhome run in the first inning.


"It was a very weird week, last week was tough," Davies said."I get traded. I get to Minneapolis and the bridge falls on myway to the field. As soon as I got to the stadium, Buddy Belltold me, 'I don't know if you've heard anything, but I'veannounced I'm going to retire.' That's the first time I've metBuddy.


"I go to New York and A-Rod happens to be sitting on 499. Thenin my first game here (Tuesday), the lights go out. It was arough week, but I'm glad it's over now and we started somethinga little bit better."


Davies made his first Kauffman Stadium start on Thursday anddemonstrated first-hand why the Royals sought the 23-year-oldright-hander in the deal for closer Octavio Dotel.

Davies (1-0) bested Matt Garza (1-3), who allowed one run onfour hits, while walking none and striking out six in 6 2/3innings. The Twins have scored two or fewer runs in five ofGarza's six starts since he was called up last month.

"Their guy had great stuff, but our guy had a little bit betterstuff and our bullpen did a great job," said Bell, who picked uphis 500th career win as a manager.


Bell said he was eager to see Davies pitch again after his threeinning no-decision start at New York.


"The Yankees are beating up on everybody," Bell said. "I don'tthink you can evaluate anybody facing them right now. Becauseof the way he competed, the kind of stuff he had, I was anxiousto see him again. He didn't let any of us down."


The Royals scored their only run in the third, which Tony PenaJr. led off with a double to left. He advanced to third on JoeyGathright's sacrifice bunt and scored on Jason LaRue'ssacrifice fly to Torii Hunter in center.


"Garza threw the ball very, very well," Twins manager RonGardenhire said. "They figured out how to score one run off usand we couldn't figure out how to score one run off them.Davies kept us off balance the whole game. He threw the heckout of the ball."


Garza lowered his ERA to 1.70, which belies his 1-3 record.

"We are here for a pennant race," he said. "I'm not here to padmy stats. I want to give us the best chance to win and Iobviously didn't do that. I should have put him (Pena) awaywhen I had two strikes on him. He hit a good pitch, a slideraway, and drove it."


Davies did not allow a hit until Jason Kubel's two-out double inthe fifth. He was stranded when Rondell White grounded out toAlex Gordon.


Davis began the game by walking Alexi Casilla, who went tosecond on a wild pitch. Casilla, however, did not advancebeyond second as Davies retired Jason Bartlett on a pop up tosecond, Joe Mauer on a fly to center and struck out MichaelCuddyer.


"The whole first inning, I had problems locating anything,"Davies said. "I came in the dugout and asked the pitching coachMac (Bob McClure), 'What am I doing with my hands? I feel likeevery time I throw the ball, I'm going this way and my handsare going the other way.' He said, 'Don't worry about it.' Iwent back out there and the next inning I was able to locate myfastball, my change up, a slider and a curveball.


"Maybe that's the key, just don't think about where they'regoing to be and they'll be where they need to be."

Casilla singled with one out in the sixth and stole second, butwent no further.


Davies left to a standing ovation.


"That was pretty cool," he said. "I don't know if anybody sawit, but I smiled on the way to the dugout. It's pretty neatbeing in a new place and never pitched here."


The Royals needed three pitchers to get out of an eight inningjam. Zack Greinke began the inning, but with one out he gave upa single to Casilla and walked Bartlett. Left-hander JimmyGobble was summoned to face Joe Mauer, who flied out to Pena.Joakim Soria was brought into face Cuddyer, who struck out forthe fourth time to end the inning.


Soria earned his 12th save in 15 opportunities, retiring allfour batters he faced.


The Twins, who collected 19 hits in their 11-4 victory onWednesday, went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

"We really didn't have many opportunities," Gardenhire said."You shake your head and wonder what's going on. You score thatmany last night, come back today and can't find a way to scorea run. It's disappointing for our club. That's been the storyof our season, not backing up a good day yesterday with a goodone today. That's as a unit, not as individuals."