Cuddyer, Swazak Lead Twins Over Royals 8-2
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Michael Cuddyer drove in two runs, Anthony Swarzak pitched six effective innings and the Minnesota Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 8-2 Thursday night.
The Twins snapped a four-game losing streak and picked up their third victory in 13 games.
Minnesota sent 10 men to the plate in a six-run third, scoring four unearned runs after Mike Aviles made a throwing error. Denard Span, Matt Tolbert and Rene Rivera had RBI singles and Cuddyer hit a run-scoring double. Justin Morneau scored on Aviles' error. Rivera scored on a wild pitch for the other run.
Swarzak (1-2), who was making his third start after beginning the season in the minors, limited the Royals to seven hits and two runs.
Royals starter Sean O'Sullivan was pulled after 2 2-3 innings, retiring only eight of the 19 batters he faced. He gave up seven runs -- three earned -- on eight hits, two walks, a hit batter and a wild pitch.
In his past four starts, O'Sullivan is 0-3 with a 13.25 ERA, allowing 51 base runners -- 39 hits, 10 walks and two hit batters -- and 30 runs, 26 earned, in 17 2-3 innings. O'Sullivan (2-5) was replaced by rookie right-hander Nate Adcock in the third.
Cuddyer also drove in a run in the first on a groundout. Span and Tolbert each had two hits and a RBI to pace the Twins' 10-hit attack.
Jeff Francoeur went 3 for 4 with two doubles and a triple and drove in both Kansas City runs. Francoeur leads the Royals with 32 RBIs.
Joakim Soria pitched for the first time since being removed as the Royals closer after a blown save Monday. He retired all six batters he faced.
NOTES: DH Jim Thome (strained left quadriceps) and OF Jason (sprained left foot) were placed on the 15-day disabled list, bringing the Twins' total to eight players on the DL. The Twins promoted OF Ben Revere and IF Luke Hughes to take their roster spots. RHP Robinson Tejeda, whom the Royals designated for assignment May 26, accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Omaha after clearing waivers. John Lamb, a 20-year-old left-hander who is one of the Royals top pitching prospects, is scheduled to have Tommy John surgery Friday. Lamb was the Royals minor league pitcher of the year in 2010.
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