Byron Buxton and Kody Clemens homered and the Minnesota Twins beat Kansas City 5-1 on Sunday to drop the Royals two games back for the last AL wild card.
Buxton led off the game against Michael Lorenzen (5-10) with his 30th homer, extending his career high. He was hit by a 91.8 mph sinker in the fifth inning and was replaced for the bottom of the sixth because of what the Twins said was a bruised left knee.
It was a bit of an historic milestone for Byron Buxton, who joins Kirby Puckett as the only Twins players with 30 homers and 20 stolen bases in one season highlighting what has been the healthiest and most productive season of Buxton's career so far.
"Yeah, those are special and I've said it before, Buck's not about his own milestones," said Manager Rocco Baldelli after the game. "But, presenting him with the ball in the clubhouse and seeing that, when he takes a moment to appreciate something and enjoy something, you know, it's special to him. And, I think this is one of those. He's having a pretty amazing season right now. There's a lot of baseball still to play, so he's gonna end up with more and I think he's feeling good at the plate too, overall. I think he's in a real nice spot and he just wants to keep it going."
Clemens hit his 16th homer in the fourth, a 451-drive that gave Minnesota a 3-0 lead. Minnesota padded its advantage in the fourth with a double steal, with Royce Lewis on first and Luke Keaschall on third.
The game didn't end as well as it started for Buxton. He was hit on his left kneecap by a pitch from Michael Lorenzen in the fifth inning. Buxton has only a bruised knee, and stayed in the game for one inning before being removed.
"Buck should be OK, left knee contusion essentially is it," says Baldelli. "We'll see how he is when he wakes up tomorrow. We got a flight right now. I think he's gonna be OK, whether it's a day or, I don't see this being too much of an issue. But we need to monitor him over the next 24 hours, make sure he comes out OK. Should be OK."
Kansas City (73-69) fell two games behind Seattle (75-68) for the third AL wild card.
Bailey Ober (5-7) gave up one run and four hits in 5 1/3 innings,
Lorenzen allowed four runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Kansas City scored on Vinnie Pasquantino's RBI single in the sixth.
Key moment
Kansas City had the potential tying run at the plate with one out in the eighth before Kody Funderburk struck out Pasquantino and Justin Topa retired Salvador Perez on a groundout.
Key stat
Buxton has 17 leadoff homers, including eight this season.
Up next
Twins: RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (5-4, 4.53 ERA) starts Monday against the Los Angeles Angels and RHP Caden Dana (0-0, 4.91).