Twins 3, Royals 1
MINNEAPOLIS -- Right-hander Kyle Gibson gave up one run in 6 2/3 innings and helped the Minnesota Twins to a 3-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night at Target Field.
The loss snapped Kansas City's season-opening winning streak at seven games and ended Minnesota's three-game skid.
Twins closer Glen Perkins worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his first save.
Gibson allowed nine hits -- all singles -- and a single run in the fourth inning for his first win of the season.
Royals pitcher Edinson Volquez was solid in a losing effort, lasting 7 2/3 innings and allowing three runs and five hits while fanning seven.
Minnesota loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning but scored just once, on a sacrifice fly to center by second baseman Brian Dozier.
Volquez worked out of the jam by forcing designated hitter Kennys Vargas to ground out back to the pitcher and coaxing a soft grounder to third by third baseman Trevor Plouffe.
Gibson worked some magic of his own, finding his way into trouble in the first and second innings but getting a double play each time to work out of it.
The Royals got to Gibson in the fourth, tying the score on a two-out single by left fielder Alex Gordon. After a leadoff single by third baseman Mike Moustakas, Gibson got a lineout and a groundout before hitting designated hitter Kendrys Morales and allowing a sharp single to right to Gordon.
Minnesota regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run blast by left fielder Oswaldo Arcia, hit first of the season, into the seats in right.
NOTES: Royals OF Alex Rios was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a fractured bone in his left hand. He is expected to miss three to six weeks. The Royals recalled OF Terrance Gore from Double-A Northwest Arkansas to fill Rios' roster spot. ... Twins RHP Ricky Nolasco played long toss Wednesday and will again for the next several days. Nolasco complained of a sore throwing elbow after his April 8 start against the Detroit Tigers and went on the disabled list. If he progresses well, he could throw off a mound this weekend. ... The Royals and Twins conclude their three-game series Thursday with a getaway day game at Target Field. Kansas City LHP Jason Vargas (1-0, 3.00 ERA) faces Minnesota LHP Tommy Milone (1-0, 0.00 ERA).