Game 153: Twins gain ground in 9-4 win over KC
September 25, 2009
Minnesota @ Kansas City (Game 1 of 3)
Billy Butler went 4-for-5 with two home runs but the Royals pitching had control problems while the defense committed two errors to allow the Twins to gain ground in the AL Central with a 9-4 win.
Nick Punto broke the scoreless tie in the third by stealing second base and then scoring on a wild pitch from Robinson Tejeda. The lead wouldn’t last long, however, as Billy Butler would connect for a solo home run to center field to tie the game at one.
Michael Cuddyer hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth, his 30th home run of the season, to put the Twins ahead 2-1. They would add four on the board in the fifth when Tejeda gave up two walks and the defense had a fielding error to load the bases.
Orlando Cabrera hit a single to right to knock in Jose Morales and Tejeda would give up back-to-back walks to allow two more runs to score. Juan Cruz was sent to the mound to replace Tejeda and would also give up a bases loaded walk before getting the next two outs. By then, though, Minnesota had a 6-1 lead.
Billy Butler would put the Royals back into the game with a 3-run home run, his second home run of the game off Carl Pavano, to make it a 6-4 ballgame. The Twins, though, would seal the game off in the seventh after Delmon Young hit an RBI triple to center and would score on a single from Matt Tolbert.
Delmon Young would add another run in the ninth with a solo home run and Matt Guerrier would finish off the game by ending Butler’s great hitting performance by striking him out for the final out.
In Chicago, the Detroit Tigers would be shut out by Jake Peavy and the White Sox to let the Twins gain one game in the standings. Minnesota is now two games out with nine games to left in the season. Four of the nine games will be head-to-head against the Tigers.
Attendance: 23,307 (Kauffman Stadium)
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