MINNEAPOLIS — Byron Buxton hit a three-run homer as part of a seven-run third inning, Sonny Gray kept rolling with six strong innings and the Minnesota Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 8-4 on Sunday.
Gray (4-0) allowed one run on five hits while striking out seven batters. Gray has given up just three runs in 35 innings this season and saw his MLB-best ERA rise to 0.77 after the outing.
Minnesota won three of the four games against Kansas City and has won six of eight.
Buxton homered for the second straight game, making it four in his past five games. The Twins homered in 13 straight games, hitting 22 over that span.
Brady Singer (2-3) lasted just 2 2/3 innings for the Royals, surrendering eight runs on five hits and three walks.
Vinnie Pasquantino had three hits for Kansas City, including a two-run single in the ninth inning before Jhoan Duran entered with two outs and recorded his sixth save.
The Royals' 21 losses in April tie the club record for losses in any calendar month.
Buxton doubled and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Nick Gordon in the second inning before launching his seventh homer of the season to the third deck in left field in the third.
Gordon, Willi Castro and Christian Vázquez followed with consecutive run-scoring singles.
DEEP FISHING
Buxton’s homer allowed Minnesota to show off its new home run celebration. When he entered the dugout, Buxton was given a fishing vest and fishing pole. On the back of the vest was “Land of 10,000 Rakes” a play on Minnesota’s famous “Land of 10,000 Lakes" slogan.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Twins: RHP Tyler Mahle had an MRI and X-rays done on his sore right arm. Manager Rocco Baldelli said Mahle will be shut down and won’t make his next start, but didn't get into specifics because the team had yet to meet with Mahle to discuss the results.
UP NEXT
Royals: Host Baltimore on Tuesday for the first of 10 straight home games. LHP Ryan Yarbrough (0-3, 6.35 ERA) will make his second straight start for the Royals in place of Kris Bubic.
Twins: Start a six-game road trip with three games against the Chicago White Sox. RHP Joe Ryan (5-0, 2.81) starts the first game Tuesday with RHP Michael Kopech (0-3, 7.01) scheduled for Chicago.
