By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
After ending a nightmare stretch that saw the Kansas City Royals on a season worst seven game losing streak, the Royals have begun to inch closer to the top of the AL Central once again.
Kansas City won their fourth straight game on Sunday and swept the Minnesota Twins, winning 2-0 at Kauffman Stadium, pushing them to just two and a half games behind the Cleveland Guardians for first place in the division.
Both of the Royals runs came in the bottom of the fifth inning, the first thanks to a sacrifice fly from Garrett Hampson after the Royals loaded the bases to open the inning. After Tommy Pham walked to reload the bases, a single from Salvador Perez would drive in Freddy Fermin.
Royals starter Michael Wacha put together his 14th quality start of the season to earn the win, pitching seven scoreless innings and surrendering just four hits while striking out seven. The win was the 100th of Wacha's career. Lucas Erceg closed the door for his 11th save.
The Royals had six batters who each had one hit in the game, Perez being the only one with a hit that drove in a run.
Kansas City's pitching staff was absolutely dominant during this series against a team that, coming in, was second place in the AL Central. Royals pitchers posted a 0.67 ERA over 27 innings, striking out 30 batters and walking two. The Royals shutout the Twins in two of the three games.
The Royals will now travel to New York for a three game series with the New York Yankees, beginning on Monday. Brady Singer will start for Kansas City against Carlos Rodon for New York. First pitch is at 6:05pm with pregame at 5:30 on KFEQ.