Twins 4, Royals 3
Michael Cuddyer singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning as the Minnesota Twins edged the visiting Kansas City Royals, 4-3, on Saturday.
Drew Butera added a solo homer and Joe Mauer - in the lineup at designated hitter - chipped in an RBI for the Twins, who have taken two of three in the series to pull within six games of .500 (43-49).
Royals starter Jeff Francis (3-11) had retired nine in a row before Alexi Casilla snapped the string with a one-out single in the eighth. Mauer followed with a single to right, putting runners on the corners and forcing Kansas City to bring in rookie Aaron Crow.
Cuddyer stepped in and sent a 1-2 pitch off the righthander into center to plate Casilla.
Carl Pavano pitched seven strong innings, but Glen Perkins (1-1) picked up the win with a perfect inning of relief.
Joe Nathan, back in the closer’s role after Matt Capps blew his seventh save Friday night, worked the ninth for his fourth save.