The Minnesota Twins kept their late-season momentum rolling with a 5-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday at Kauffman Stadium.
Byron Buxton and Kody Clemens brought the early fireworks, and Bailey Ober handled business on the mound.
The Royals needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, but their offense just couldn’t get going.
The wild card race in the American League got even tighter after this one.
Buxton Sets Career High Before Injury
Byron Buxton wasted no time making an impact.
He led off the game with his 30th home run of the season, a personal best, and put Minnesota up 1-0 right away.
That energy didn’t last long, though.
In the fifth, Buxton took a pitch off his left knee and had to leave the game with a bruise.
Early word is it’s not serious, but Minnesota’s got to be careful with their star as October approaches.
Kody Clemens Adds to the Power Surge
Kody Clemens made jaws drop in the fourth inning.
He crushed a 451-foot home run to center—his 16th of the year—and pushed the Twins’ lead to 3-0.
This lineup’s power really runs deep, doesn’t it?
Twins Show Aggressiveness on the Basepaths
That same fourth inning, Minnesota showed they’re not just about homers.
Royce Lewis and Luke Keaschall pulled off a double steal, turning up the heat on Royals starter Michael Lorenzen.
The move paid off, stretching the lead and forcing Kansas City to play catch-up.
Lorenzen Struggles Against Minnesota’s Lineup
Michael Lorenzen hoped to stop the Royals’ skid, but the Twins had other ideas.
He gave up four runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings and dropped to 5-10 this season.
Minnesota’s quick start left Kansas City behind almost immediately.
Ober Steady on the Mound
Bailey Ober gave Minnesota a calm, steady start.
He went 5 1/3 innings, held the Royals to one run on four hits, and picked up his fifth win.
Vinnie Pasquantino knocked in Kansas City’s only run in the sixth with an RBI single.
Ober’s command helped stop any threat of a rally right there.
Key Bullpen Contributions
Kansas City tried to get something going in the eighth, bringing the tying run to the plate.
Kody Funderburk and Justin Topa shut things down, keeping the Twins up by four.
This bullpen could be a real asset for Minnesota down the stretch.
Playoff Implications in the American League
The Royals came in chasing the last American League wild card spot, but the loss dropped them to 73-69.
Now they’re two games behind the Seattle Mariners, who sit at 75-68.
Every September game matters, and missing out on chances like this one might haunt them in a few weeks.
Tough Road Ahead for Kansas City
With fewer than 20 games left, the Royals face a tough schedule. They really need to find a way to put some wins together.
The offense just managed four hits on Sunday. That’s not going to cut it, so they’ll have to get the bats going soon.
The pitching staff faces its own challenge. They’ve got to figure out how to handle dangerous lineups like Minnesota’s, and that’s easier said than done.
The Twins keep rolling with this win. Their momentum doesn’t seem to be fading as October gets closer.
If Buxton comes back soon from his knee bruise, Minnesota’s mix of speed, power, and solid pitching could make them a seriously tough team in the postseason. I wouldn’t want to face them right now.
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Here is the source article for this story: Minnesota Twins vs. Kansas City Royals Results, Stats, and Recap – September 7, 2025 Gametracker
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