Late Rally Falls Short, Royals Defeat Twins 4-3

Despite getting the tying run to second with nobody out in the bottom of the ninth, the Twins were unable to steal a victory from the Royals on Friday night, as they dropped a third consecutive game by a final of 4-3.

Kansas City starter Luis Mendoza held the Twins in check for eight innings, allowing just one run on a Ryan Doumit single in the 2nd. It took Royals' closer Jonathan Broxton entering the game for the Twins offense to come alive, as a Denard Span walk and Ben Revere infield single set up Joe Mauer, who laced an oppo double to plate Span and trim the lead to 4-2. A Josh Willingham grounder scored Revere and set up Justin Morneau and Trevor Plouffe for late-game heroics. A harmless fly to center and a foul pop later, and the Royals escaped with a victory.

Minnesota's Friday emergency starting pitcher (not to be confused with Minnesota's Saturday emergency starting pitcher, Cole DeVries), Brian Duensing, didn't have his best outing, lasting just four innings and allowing three runs on eight hits. The other notable pitching development was the 2012 debut of Kyle Waldrop, who did allow the (inherited) eventual winning run to score.

Studs: Mendoza (I listened to most of the game on the radio--are we sure this wasn't Bruce Chen in a different uniform?), Mauer, Morneau (2-for-4), the guy who ran on the field and juked the first security guard.

Duds: Duensing

Enjoy your weekend, everybody. Hydrate and use sunblock.