Buxton, Clemens Power Twins Past Royals, Shake Up AL Wild Card Race

KANSAS CITY, Mo.— Byron Buxton and Kody Clemens launched key home runs as the Minnesota Twins topped the Kansas City Royals 5-1 on Sunday, tightening the American League wild card race and knocking the Royals two games out of a playoff spot.

Buxton wasted no time making an impact, blasting his 30th homer of the season to lead off the game against Royals starter Michael Lorenzen (5-10). The shot extended his career high and marked his 17th career leadoff homer — eight of which have come this season. However, his day ended early after he was hit by a 91.8 mph sinker in the fifth inning. The Twins later reported a bruised left knee, and Buxton was replaced before the bottom of the sixth.

Clemens extended Minnesota’s lead in the fourth with a towering 451-foot solo homer — his 16th of the year — pushing the score to 3-0. That same inning, the Twins executed a double steal, with Luke Keaschall swiping home and Royce Lewis advancing to second to give Minnesota a 4-0 cushion.

On the mound, Bailey Ober (5-7) delivered a steady performance, allowing just one run on four hits over 5 1/3 innings. Lorenzen matched that innings total but was tagged for four runs on five hits.

Kansas City’s only offense came in the sixth on an RBI single by Vinnie Pasquantino. The Royals threatened in the eighth, putting the potential tying run at the plate with one out, but reliever Kody Funderburk struck out Pasquantino, and Justin Topa got Salvador Perez to ground out, ending the threat.

With the loss, the Royals (73-69) slipped two games behind Seattle (75-68) for the final AL wild card spot.

Up Next

• Twins: RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (5-4, 4.53 ERA) will start Monday against the Los Angeles Angels, who counter with RHP Caden Dana (0-0, 4.91 ERA).
• Royals: RHP Ryan Bergert (2-1, 2.61 ERA) opens a four-game set in Cleveland against the Guardians, who send RHP Slade Cecconi (5-6, 4.78 ERA) to the mound.