KC sweeps; win first series since May

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Sports

July 22, 2018 - 11:00 PM

Kauffman Stadium, home of the Kansas City Royals, on June 8, 2015. Lisa Mckown/Dreamstime/TNS

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.

Butera’s 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.

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