Royals 2, Twins 0
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Kansas City Royals scored once early and starter Chris Young combined with four relievers to one-hit the Minnesota Twins in a 2-0 victory at Target Field on Tuesday.
Young held the Twins without a hit until there was one out in the bottom of the seventh. Minnesota third baseman Trevor Plouffe broke up the no-hitter with a triple high off the right-field wall that missed clearing it by only a few inches.
The win moved Kansas City one game ahead of the Twins for first place in the American League Central. The Royals will go for a three-game series sweep here on Wednesday.
After Plouffe's triple, Royals manager Ned Yost immediately went to his bullpen, calling on left-hander Franklin Morales and righty Kelvin Herrera. Each got their man to ground out, preserving the win for Young, who allowed just the one hit and three walks while striking out two in 6 1/3 innings of work.
Right-hander Wade Davis pitched a perfect eighth inning before closer Greg Holland worked a scoreless ninth for his 11th save.
Kansas City took an early lead, scoring a run off Twins starter Trevor May just five pitches into the game. A leadoff double by shortstop Alcides Escobar was followed by an RBI single by third baseman Mike Moustakas for a quick 1-0 lead.
May would go on to scatter seven hits over six innings of work, walking three and striking out five, dropping to 4-4 on the year.
Royals catcher Salvador Perez added a late insurance run, bashing his ninth homer into the second deck in left field for a 2-0 lead in the ninth off Minnesota reliever Blaine Boyer.
NOTES: The Royals will decide Wednesday whether C Erik Kratz will rejoin the active club in place of C Drew Butera. Kratz has been on the 15-day disabled list since May with a torn plantar fascia. Whomever is not chosen must either be traded or designated for assignment. ... Twins RHP Ervin Santana threw another bullpen session Tuesday as he continues to serve an 80-game suspension for the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Santana should return to the Twins around July 4. ... The Royals and Twins will play the finale of the three-game series Wednesday at Target Field. Kansas City RHP Edinson Volquez (4-4, 3.26 ERA) will oppose Minnesota RHP Kyle Gibson (4-3, 3.00 ERA).