Royals Beat Twins 5-0, Move to Second Place

The Kansas City Royals secured a significant 5-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins, marking a pivotal moment as they overtook the Twins for second place in the AL Central and the second Wild Card spot. All-Star pitcher Cole Ragans delivered a stellar performance, throwing six scoreless innings and achieving his 200th strikeout of the season, making him only the fifth pitcher in Royals history to reach this milestone. Michael Massey contributed heavily to the offense with three hits, including a solo home run, while Tommy Pham and Hunter Renfroe added crucial RBIs to bolster the lead. The Twins struggled offensively, failing to capitalize on their opportunities and managing only four hits throughout the game. This loss leaves the Twins half a game behind the Royals and in the final Wild Card position as they face a critical series ahead. Both teams trail the Cleveland Guardians, who are leading the division.