Royals 6, Twins 1
James Shields gave up one run in 7 1/3 strong innings and Alex Gordon ripped a bases-clearing double to cap a five-run eighth as visiting Kansas City won its third straight game.
Shields (9-8) carried a one-hit shutout into the eighth and allowed four hits while striking out seven to win his third straight decision. Will Smith escaped a jam by striking out both batters he faced in the eighth before Kelvin Herrera finished up with a perfect ninth.
Billy Butler homered and Chris Getz and Jarrod Dyson each drove in a run as the Royals remained within seven games of Oakland for the second wild card in the American League. Brian Dozier had an RBI double for Minnesota, which fell to 4-13 against Kansas City this season.
The Twins wasted seven scoreless innings from Kevin Correia, who struck out seven and allowed six hits. Jared Burton (2-8) yielded three straight one-out singles in the eighth, the last by Getz to snap a scoreless deadlock.
Dyson greeted Caleb Thielbar with a squeeze bunt to plate David Lough with the second run before Gordon doubled down the right-field line to empty the bases for a 5-0 lead. Shields permitted a leadoff single to Josh Willingham and did not allow another hit until Trevor Plouffe singled to open the eighth.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Royals 3B Mike Moustakas, who has been battling a calf injury, was not in the lineup after coming down with strep throat. He is expected to miss a few games. ... Twins LF Oswaldo Arcia is not expected to be back in the line anytime soon because he's still experiencing sharp pain in his right wrist when he swings a bat. ... Kansas City made a pair of moves Tuesday, signing veteran 1B Carlos Pena and acquiring RHP Clayton Mortensen from Boston in exchange for OF Quintin Berry.