MLB: Royals 5, Twins 3
KANSAS CITY, Mo. On an afternoon the Royals sought their first series sweep of the season, they struggled to muster offense against the Twins. They were held to two hits through six innings, limited to a couple of runs and otherwise neutralized by one-time Royals prospect Jake Odorizzi.
But when Drew Butera, the very same backup catcher the Royals were forced to use as a reliever at Kauffman Stadium two weeks ago, connected his bat for a hit in the seventh inning on Sunday, the Royals inability to create opportunities faded into the background.
Buteras go-ahead hit bounced in front of a diving Jake Cave. As the ball trickled all the way to the warning track, Alex Gordon and Alcides Escobar scored easily to give the Royals a lead. By the time Max Kepler reached the ball in deep right-center field and relayed the ball back to the infield, Royals third base coach Mike Jirschele had given Butera the sign.
