Jason Kubel hit two three-run home runs as
the Minnesota Twins took a 13-4 win over the Kansas City Royals to force a
one-game playoff in the American League Central for the second straight year.
Minnesota was two games out of first place in the AL Central at the start of
the Kansas City series, but the team took the first two games against of this
series and, coupled with the Tigers dropping the first two games of its set
against Chicago, resulted in a tie for first place.
Detroit edged Chicago, 5-3, earlier on Sunday and the Twins responded with a
win to set up the one-game playoff, which will take place in Minnesota on
Tuesday at 5 p.m. (et).
It will be the last regular-season game to played in the storied history of
the Metrodome as the Twins get home-field advantage thanks to taking 11 of the
18 games against the Tigers this season.
"I've got to take the Twins," said Kansas City first baseman Billy Butler of
who he thinks will win the one-game playoff. "They've been swinging the bats
well and doing everything right. If they keep the momentum they'll be tough to
beat."
Last season, Minnesota fell at Chicago, 1-0, in a one-game playoff for the AL
Central.
Delmon Young clubbed a pair of solo home runs, Michael Cuddyer hit a two-run
home run and Orlando Cabrera drove in two runs for the Twins, who have taken
their last four games. Carl Pavano (14-12) got the win as he threw 5 2/3
innings and gave up four runs on eight hits with a walk and seven strikeouts.
Alberto Callaspo went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored while Alex
Gordon hit a solo home run for the Royals (65-97), who closed out the season
losing five of their last six games. Luke Hochevar (7-13) went just three
innings and was charged with seven runs on four hits and three walks.
The Twins started the game swinging as the team took the lead in the first
inning. With two men on base, Kubel clubbed a pitch over the right field wall
and Young later his a solo homer for a 4-0 lead.
Kubel clubbed his second three-run homer of the game in the third inning to
give Minnesota a 7-0 lead.
The Royals got a run back in the fourth as Callaspo hit a one-out double
and Mark Teahen followed with a double to make it a 7-1 contest.
Young hit his second solo shot of the game in the fifth inning to give the
Twins an 8-1 advantage.
However, the Royals chipped away at the lead in the top of the sixth. Mike
Jacobs led off with a single and scored when Callaspo followed with a triple.
John Buck later grounded out to bring home Callaspo and Gordon followed with a
shot over the center field wall to make it an 8-4 game.
Minnesota, though, got a run back in the home half as Denard Span drew a two-
out walk and Cabrera followed with a double to left to make it a 9-4 contest.
Matt Tolbert's RBI double in the seventh gave the Twins a six-run lead while
Cabrera clubbed an RBI double and Cuddyer hit a two-run home run in the eighth
for a 13-4 lead.
Francisco Liriano worked around a two-out single in the ninth to close the
game.
Game Notes
Kansas City went 32-49 on the road this season...The Twins are the only team
in MLB-history to play an extra regular-season game in two straight
seasons...The Twins took 12 of 18 games against the Royals this season...Kubel
has 102 RBI on the season, the first time in his career he eclipsed the 100-
RBI plateau...Kansas City left 11 men on base.
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