MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Samuel Deduno pitched seven sharp innings and one of Justin Morneau’s two doubles drove in Minnesota’s first run, sending the Twins to a 3-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night.
Deduno (4-2) gave up only five hits and, more importantly, one walk. He struck out three and let only eight fair balls leave the infield. Jared Burton pitched a scoreless eighth and Glen Perkins notched his 20th save in 22 tries with a scoreless ninth inning despite allowing a walk and a double.
The Twins even managed to beat Jeremy Guthrie (7-6). The right-hander topped them twice earlier this season and brought a 6-2 record over nine previous career matchups into the game.
