Ragans throws 6 scoreless innings, Massey hits home runs, Royals beat Twins 5-0

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Cole Ragans had four hits in six scoreless innings as the Kansas City Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 5-0 on Friday night, trading places with the Twins in the AL Central and wild-card standings.

The Royals are now half a game ahead of second place in the division and the second wildcard spot.

Michael Massey had three hits, including a home run, for the Royals.

Ragans (11-9) won for the first time since a 4-1 victory in Minneapolis on Aug. 14, the Royals' only win in Minnesota this season.

Zebby Matthews (1-3) suffered the defeat. He allowed four runs on nine hits in five innings.

Ragans recorded his third strikeout of the game – and 200th of the season – in the bottom of the third inning, becoming the fifth pitcher in Royals history to record 200 strikeouts in a season and the first Royals pitcher to do so since Zack Greinke in 2009.

The Royals scored a run in the third inning. Kyle Isbel worked a one-out walk and scored from first base when Tommy Pham ripped the ball into the left field corner. The Twins responded with an almost identical play in the fourth inning. Austin Martin hit a two-out double to the wall in left, but Pham threw a relay to Bobby Witt Jr., who fired a strike to Salvador Perez to get Kyle Farmer out at the plate.

Massey then extended his lead in the fourth inning with a 408-foot solo home run into the right bullpen.

The Royals used their speed to add another in the fifth inning. Witt avoided a double play on a comebacker to Matthews and got to third base on a single by MJ Melendez. Melendez stole second base and both runners scored on a single by Hunter Renfroe.

The last run was scored by Yuli Gurriel’s sacrifice fly in the eighth inning.

TRANSACTIONS

Royals: Renfroe was recalled from the 10-day injured list on Thursday's off day. In corresponding moves, RHP Steven Cruz was sent to Triple-A Omaha and RHP Dan Altavilla was recalled from the IL and designated for assignment.

Next

The Twins and Royals play the second game of their three-game series. The Twins start with RHP Bailey Ober (12-6, 3.95 ERA) against Royals RHP Alec Marsh (7-8, 4.70 ERA).

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