Detroit Lakes, MN (KDLM) – The Minnesota Twins delivered a crushing blow to Kansas City’s playoff aspirations Sunday, defeating the Royals 5-1 behind home runs from Byron Buxton and Kody Clemens to push the hosts two games back in the American League wild card race.
Buxton set the tone immediately, launching his 30th home run of the season to lead off the game against Royals starter Michael Lorenzen (5-10). The blast extended Buxton’s career high and marked his eighth leadoff homer of the season, bringing his career total to 17. However, Buxton’s day was cut short when he was hit by a 91.8 mph sinker in the fifth inning, forcing him to leave the game in the bottom of the sixth with what the Twins described as a bruised left knee.
Clemens provided the knockout punch in the fourth inning with a towering 451-foot home run, his 16th of the season, that stretched Minnesota’s lead to 3-0. The Twins added insurance in the same inning through aggressive baserunning, executing a double steal with Royce Lewis on first and Luke Keaschall on third.
Twins starter Bailey Ober (5-7) was efficient through 5⅓ innings, allowing just four hits and one run to earn the victory. Kansas City managed to break through in the sixth on an RBI single from Vinnie Pasquantino, but that would be their only offense of the day.
The loss drops Kansas City (73-69) two games behind Seattle (75-68) for the third and final AL wild card spot, putting significant pressure on the Royals as the regular season winds down. The Twins’ bullpen sealed the victory, with Kody Funderburk and Justin Topa combining to escape a potential rally in the eighth inning when Kansas City had the tying run at the plate with one out.
The Twins will look to continue their momentum Monday when they host the Los Angeles Angels. Right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson (5-4, 4.53 ERA) will take the mound for Minnesota against Angels rookie Caden Dana (0-0, 4.91 ERA), who will be making his major league debut.
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