Kansas City Royals’ Maikel Garcia watches his two run home home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Royals right fielder Jack Cagliaone catches a fly foul ball for the out 0n Minnesota Twins’ Byron Buxton during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton catches a fly ball for the out on Kansas City Royals’ Mike Yastrzemski during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Garcia’s two-run homer and Wacha’s strong outing lift Royals over Twins 2-1
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Maikel Garcia hit a two-run homer and Michael Wacha pitched 5 2/3 strong innings as the Kansas City Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Friday night.
Kansas City Royals’ Maikel Garcia watches his two run home home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Maikel Garcia hit a two-run homer and Michael Wacha pitched 5 2/3 strong innings as the Kansas City Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Friday night.
Garcia hit Pablo López’s first pitch high above the left-field bullpen after Vinnie Pasquantino singled with two out in the third inning for a 2-0 lead. Pasquantino and Garcia each had a pair of hits.
Brooks Lee and Jhonny Pereda hit consecutive doubles in the fifth inning for the Twins’ run. Pereda made his Twins debut behind the plate.
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The Twins have lost five straight and have baseball’s worst record since the July 31 trade deadline at 11-22.
Wacha (9-11) allowed a run on four hits and two walks, striking out five. He has allowed fewer than three runs in nine of his 10 career starts against the Twins.
Bobby Witt Jr. after six innings due to low back spasms.
López (5-4) returned from injury for his first start in three months, allowing two runs on six hits in six innings, striking out four. López was placed on the 15-day Injured List on June 4 with a right shoulder strain.
Key Moment
Initially called out on a force at second, Garcia was ruled safe when the Royals challenged that shortstop Lee had dropped the ball before touching second.
Key Stat
Through the first seven games of their current homestand, the Royals are 2 for 26 with runners in scoring position while scoring 10 of 14 runs via home runs.
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Up Next
Twins RHP Joe Ryan (13-7, 3.08 ERA) opposes Royals RHP Stephen Kolek (4-5, 3.99) on Saturday.
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