Baker pitches Twins to 6-3 win over Royals

Sep 12, 2007, 4:31 GMT

Kansas City, MO - Scott Baker threw 5 2/3 solid innings and Joe Mauer doubled twice as the Minnesota Twins downed the Kansas City Royals, 6-3, in the second of a three-game set at Kauffman Stadium.

Baker carried a perfect game into the ninth inning against the Royals back on August 31 before walking the leadoff batter, then serving up a single in a 5-0 win. He improved to 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA in three starts against Kansas City this season.

Baker (9-7) allowed 10 hits and only three runs. Joe Nathan threw a scoreless ninth to record his 32nd save in 36 chances.

Jason Bartlett and Torii Hunter added two hits apiece for the Twins, who have won three straight since dropping six in a row.

Alex Gordon went 4-for-4 with two doubles and David DeJesus and Mark Grudzielanek had two hits apiece for the Royals, who matched a season-high with their seventh straight loss.

Kansas City starter Kyle Davies (2-5) went five innings, allowing four runs -- two earned -- on four hits.

The first costly Kansas City error came in the first inning. Bartlett walked to lead off the frame and scored when Mauer hit a hard grounder down the first-base line to Billy Butler. The ball went under Butler's glove, allowing Bartlett to come all the way around and score for a 1-0 lead.

The Royals scored twice in the second. Mike Sweeney led off with a single to second and Alex Gordon doubled to right before Butler's groundout scored a run. With two outs, Jason LaRue singled to left, plating another.

In the fifth, Grudzielanek and Mark Teahen hit back-to-back doubles to center, putting the Royals ahead 3-1.

The Twins, however, took the lead for good in the sixth. Jason Kubel led off with a walk and Mauer doubled before Hunter knocked in a run with a single to left. On the play, Joey Gathright misplayed the ball as it got by him, allowing two runs to score and Hunter to reach third. Hunter then scored on Justin Morneau's sacrifice fly to right, giving the Twin a 4-3 edge.

Minnesota added a run in the seventh on Mauer's sacrifice fly, scoring Alexi Casilla, who reached on a bunt single and added another in the ninth on a Bartlett RBI single.

Game Notes

Kansas City left 13 runners on base...Royals manager Buddy Bell was ejected in the seventh inning by plate umpire Larry Poncino. It was Bell's fourth ejection this season and his 14th overall with the Royals...Attendance was 12,891.

© 2007 The Sports Network

Game Notes

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