KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Hunter Dozier hit a three-run shot during a five-run third inning, Homer Bailey was stingy again pitching into the sixth and the Kansas City Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 6-1 on Sunday.
Alex Gordon had two RBIs and Nicky Lopez also drove in a run, helping the Royals forge a split of the four-game series on a soggy, overcast afternoon at Kauffman Stadium.
Bailey (7-6) only made one significant mistake, leaving a pitch over the plate that Eddie Rosario steered inside the right-field foul pole. Otherwise, the revitalized right-hander followed back-to-back scoreless starts against Detroit and Seattle by giving up five hits and a walk against the Twins.
The Royals’ bullpen went the rest of the way, leaving the bases loaded in the seventh. Kevin McCarthy got seven outs to record his first career save.
Michael Pineda (4-4) allowed eight hits in five innings for the Twins. He didn’t get much support, watching helplessly as his offense stranded 11 runners on base.
With rain in the forecast, Bailey and Pineda engaged in a tidy pitchers’ duel through the first couple innings. But that ended abruptly when Pineda took the mound in the third.
After retiring Martin Maldonado, the big right-hander gave up a base hit to Billy Hamilton – the first of what would become five straight. And they came in quite the variety: Whit Merrifield delivered on a hit-and-run, Lopez had a bunt single and Gordon doubled down the right-field line.
The big blow came from Dozier, though. His three-run shot soared over the visiting bullpen in left field, giving Kansas City a 5-0 lead and the youngster another boost in his All-Star bid.
Dozier is among the three AL finalists at third base in voting that begins Wednesday.
Bailey’s streak of 16 2/3 scoreless innings finally ended when Rosario cracked his 20th homer of the year leading off the fourth inning. But Bailey got a modicum of revenge in the sixth, when he struck out Rosario after a 14-pitch at-bat to conclude his afternoon.
STATS AND STREAKS
The Twins’ Jorge Polanco extended his 36-game on-base streak with a single in the seventh. That is tied for fifth-longest in club history. ... Luis Arraez had his first four-hit game for Minnesota. ... Bailey has not allowed more than three runs in a start since April 30.
NEGRO LEAGUES SALUTE
The Royals wore uniforms of the 1942 Kansas City Monarchs and the Twins dressed as the St. Paul Gophers from 1908 for their throwback day at the K. It was also “Dressed to the Nines” day at the park, and many fans came dressed in suits, dresses and vintage clothing.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Twins OF Byron Buxton hit before the game to test his right wrist, and manager Rocco Baldelli said it’s possible he could play Tuesday. “We have to make sure he’s 100 percent before we activate him for a game,” Baldelli said. “We’re very close to making a decision.” ... RHP Jose Berrios should make his next start despite leaving Saturday’s game with a blister, Baldelli said.
UP NEXT
The Royals head to Cleveland on Monday night to open a three-game set with RHP Brad Keller (3-9, 4.45 ERA) on the hill. The Twins are off Monday before starting a three-game set against Tampa Bay.
• Indians 8, Tigers 3
CLEVELAND (AP) – Bobby Bradley doubled and drove in a run in his first major league plate appearance and the Cleveland Indians completed a three-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers with an 8-3 victory on Sunday afternoon.
Bradley, who leads the International League with 24 home runs, was promoted from Triple-A Columbus earlier in the day and went 1 for 3 with one run and a walk. The 23-year-old first baseman also made a running over-the-shoulder catch in foul territory, delighting the home fans who eagerly awaited his debut.
“This is so surreal and so exciting,” the upper-tier prospect said before the game. “Just to know that this childhood dream is coming true is unreal.”
Bradley’s hit a ground-rule double to left field to ignite a five-run second inning for the Indians, who have won six straight over the Tigers and are a season-high seven games over .500. Francisco Lindor added an RBI double as Cleveland took a 5-1 lead.
Zach Plesac (3-2) matched his longest outing in the majors to earn the victory, allowing one run over seven innings. The right-hander, who made his major league debut on May 28, did not allow a runner to reach scoring position after the first.
Carlos Santana hit a solo homer and Jason Kipnis collected two hits and two RBIs for the Indians, who swept a three-game set last weekend in Detroit. Lindor had a pair of hits and stole a base, breaking out of a 3-for-22 slump over his previous five games.
Tigers starter Daniel Norris (2-6) remained winless since May 12 despite striking out a season-best eight. The left-hander surrendered six runs over a season-high seven innings, falling to 0-5 with a 5.48 in eight starts since his last victory.
JaCoby Jones opened the scoring with his second career leadoff home run and Niko Goodrum had a two-run single for Detroit. Miguel Cabrera singled in the first to move into a tie with Luke Appling for 56th place all-time with 2,749 hits.
TIGER TEMPER
Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire has been ejected six times, two shy of his single-season high of eight. “I don’t want my players to get thrown out, so I’ll continue to step up for them,” he said. “And the fine money goes to BAT (a fund for destitute members of the MLB family), so whatever donations I make don’t bother me at all.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Tigers: SS Jordy Mercer (right quadriceps strain) went 0 for 3 with a walk in the first game of his rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Toledo. He has been on the 10-day injured list since May 8.
Indians: RHP Mike Clevinger (left ankle sprain) is scheduled to be activated off the 10-day IL when eligible on June 28 to start in Baltimore. If he suffers a setback, RHP Aaron Civale will take his spot.
UP NEXT
Tigers: RHP Jordan Zimmermann (0-4, 6.03 ERA) faces Rangers RHP Jesse Chavez (2-2, 3.18 ERA) in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday at Comerica Park.
Indians: RHP Adam Plutko (3-1, 4.55 ERA) takes on Royals RHP Brad Keller (3-9, 4.45 ERA) as Cleveland continues its six-game homestand on Monday.
