KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) The World Series champions have failed to make the postseason for the fourth year in a row.
Kendrys Morales and Alex Gordon keyed an eighth-inning rally and Kansas City beat the Minnesota Twins 5-2 on Wednesday night, but the Royals were still knocked out of playoff contention.
The defending World Series champs were eliminated when Baltimore beat Toronto 3-2.
Morales’ ground-rule double to right scored Jarrod Dyson, who had doubled and stole third. Gordon’s single scored Whit Merrifield and pinch-runner Billy Burns.
Taylor Rogers (3-1), the fourth of five Twins pitchers, took the loss after allowing three runs, three hits and two walks while retiring only one of the six batters he faced.
Joakim Soria (5-8) worked a scoreless eighth to pick up the victory. Wade Davis got his 27th save in 30 chances.
Royals left-hander Jason Vargas tossed five shutout innings, allowing four hits, striking out six and walking one. He threw 53 strikes in 87 pitches, leaving with a 2-0 lead in his third start since having Tommy John surgery in 2015. Vargas finishes with a 2.25 ERA, allowing three runs and eight hits while striking out 11 and walking three in 12 innings.
The Royals follow the San Francisco Giants (in 2013 and ’15) and Boston Red Sox (in 2014) in failing to reach the playoffs after winning the World Series.
The Royals now have a record of 81-77, and can clinch a winning season with a win tonight.
Danny Duffy will pitch for the final time this season. He is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in three outings against the Twins this season. Minnesota will counter with Kyle Gibson. First pitch at 6:15.
