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Chris Young ended his regular season on a high note, allowing just four hits and one run, including no hits after the second inning, in a 3-1 win over Minnesota. Young struck out five and walked just two. Since August 12, the lanky right-hander has a 1.99 ERA over his last 22 1/3 innings. He also sets the franchise record for lowest BABIP in a season for a pitcher with at least 100 innings pitched.
Young did run into some early trouble. He would allow a leadoff single to Eddie Rosario, then allow him to get into scoring position on a wild pitch . Aaron Hicks would drive him home on an RBI single to put the Twins on the board. Young would allow another single to Kurt Suzuki to put two runners on before escaping the inning without any further damage.
Alex Gordon narrowly missed a home run in the second, instead settling for a double off the top of the wall, but was left stranded. The Royals did manage to get on the board in the next inning when Jarrod Dyson led off with a double. After Alcides Escobar sacrificed him over and Ben Zobrist walked, Eric Hosmer drove Dyson home with a force out to tie the game.
Twins starter Ervin Santana kept the Royals in check for seven innings before exiting after a leadoff single by Alcides Escobar in the eighth. Reliever Glen Perkins entered the game, despite major struggles in the second half as well as recent back ailments. Perkins continued his struggles, immediately allowing an RBI double to Ben Zobrist to give the Royals the lead. After retiring Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas singled another run home to give the Royals a 3-1 cushion.
The Royals got a solid relief performance out of Louis Coleman, while Ryan Madson was able to tip-toe around a pair of singles in the eighth. Wade Davis slammed the door shut in the ninth for his 16th save of the year. The Royals have 93 wins, the third-highest total in franchise history.
The Blue Jays won tonight, meaning the Royals are still tied for home field advantage, with the Blue Jays owning the tiebreaker. With the Astros up big tonight, it looks like the Twins will have to win their final two games to even have a chance at a one-game playoff to make the Wild Card. The Twins asked for permission to get into the post-season, and the Royals replied - PERMISSION DENIED.