MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Willi Castro had a three-run home run and Royce Lewis hit a two-run shot in a six-run second inning for the Minnesota Twins on the way to an 8-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals to open a key series between the division rivals and close wild card competitors on Monday night.
“If we keep playing like this, a game like today, we’re going to be a good spot at the end of the year,” Castro said.
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Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez throws to the Kansas City Royals in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt runs the bases on a solo home run against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Kansas City Royals' Kyle Isbel hits an RBI single against the Minnesota Twins in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Minneapolis. The RBI was the 100th of Isbel's career. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brady Singer strikes out Minnesota Twins' Max Kepler for his 600th career strikeout in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Twins' Willi Castro hits a three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Twins' Royce Lewis runs the bases on his two-run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Twins' Royce Lewis hits a two-run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Twins' Willi Castro runs the bases on his three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Pablo López (11-8) finished six innings with two earned runs allowed for his third win in four starts for the Twins. He fell behind on a first-inning home run by Bobby Witt Jr. and an RBI single in the second by Kyle Isbel, who had three hits, but the Twins overwhelmed Royals starter Brady Singer (8-8) after that.
The Twins, who improved to 6-2 against the Royals this season, remained 3 1/2 games behind American League Central leader Cleveland after splitting a four-game series with the Guardians during the weekend. The third-place Royals dropped to five games back.
“We pay enough attention to it because it’s everywhere: it’s on social media, it’s in the MLB app, it’s on the scoreboard, it’s in every ballpark when you walk in and the scoreboard has standings,” López said. “So you’re aware of it, but we like to be in the mindset that we control our own destiny.”
The Twins (66-52) occupy the second AL wild card spot. The Royals (65-54) control the third spot, with a two-game cushion above the cut in their refreshing push to return to the playoffs for the first time since they won the 2015 World Series.
Six consecutive batters reached with two outs against Singer, whose first three starts out of the All-Star break were superb before some vulnerability for the fifth-year right-hander in his last two turns.
After Austin Martin started the onslaught with an RBI single, Castro hit his ninth homer to set a career high as his helmet tumbled off on the exuberant turn around second base. Lewis then unloaded to finish an eight-pitch at-bat for his 15th home run — in just 40 games — this season.
“That’s the inning that messed up the whole night," said Singer, who hadn't given up a homer since July 14. "Obviously I would like to have that back.”
Witt was hit by a 95 mph fastball on the forearm by López, but the major league batting leader — who also has the most games, hits and runs in baseball — was able to stay in.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Royals: 2B Michael Massey batted leadoff after being scratched from the lineup with tightness in his back two days ago. The team had a rare Sunday off after a two-game series against interleague rival St. Louis. Massey had two different stints on the injured list this season with back trouble.
Twins: CF Byron Buxton departed after the fifth inning with discomfort in his right hip.
UP NEXT
Royals: RHP Seth Lugo (13-6, 2.72 ERA) will pitch on Tuesday night. Lugo, who leads MLB in wins and is second in innings, is 8-2 with a 2.37 ERA in 12 starts on the road this season.
Twins: RHP Zebby Matthews, who began the year in Class A, is scheduled to make his major league debut in the middle game of the series as the rotation gets reshuffled following the injury to Joe Ryan.
Matthews had yet to be added to the roster but was in the clubhouse on Monday afternoon after being summoned from Triple-A St. Paul. The native of North Carolina, an eighth-round draft pick in 2022, was expecting family and friends in a group of at least 20 people to be at Target Field on Tuesday.
“Most of them were kind of in shock. They couldn’t believe this was actually happening because of where I started, but they’re really excited for me,” Matthews said. "They’ve all played a big piece in my journey along the way, so being able to tell them and then having them up here tomorrow will be special.”
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez throws to the Kansas City Royals in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt runs the bases on a solo home run against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Kansas City Royals' Kyle Isbel hits an RBI single against the Minnesota Twins in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Minneapolis. The RBI was the 100th of Isbel's career. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brady Singer strikes out Minnesota Twins' Max Kepler for his 600th career strikeout in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Twins' Willi Castro hits a three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Twins' Royce Lewis runs the bases on his two-run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Twins' Royce Lewis hits a two-run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota Twins' Willi Castro runs the bases on his three-run home run against the Kansas City Royals in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Andre Onana, described by Nemanja Matic as “one of the worst goalkeepers in Manchester United's history”, was at fault for both goals as his side drew 2-2 at Lyon in a Europa League quarterfinal first leg on Thursday.
Former United midfielder Matic, now a player with Lyon, made the less than flattering comments about Onana in a pre-game press conference.
Then, in the match itself, United went 1-0 down after 25 minutes when Onana failed to stop a curling free-kick from out wide by Thiago Almada.
Leny Yoro equalized for the visiting team in first-half stoppage time, with a header after goalkeeper Lucas Perri had cleared a Bruno Fernandes free-kick.
Fernandes then sent a precise cross for substitute Joshua Zirkzee to head what seemed to be the winner in the 88th minute.
But Rayan Cherki hit back for Lyon when he pounced on the rebound after Cameroon international Onana had spilled an effort from Georges Mikautadze.
“I think this is the worst moment to concede a goal like that," Yoro told TNT Sports. “We were winning 2-1. I think away this was a good score, but we go with a draw and we try to win the game at home.”
United remains the only side unbeaten in the competition this season.
Winning the Europa League, as United did in 2017, is rewarded with a spot in the Champions League, something the club is highly unlikely to achieve through its current 13th-place position in the Premier League.
Tottenham, also bidding to rescue a dismal Premier League campaign, hit back to salvage a 1-1 home draw against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Tottenham went 1-0 down when Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitiké scored following a fast counterattack in the sixth minute.
The hosts then drew level with a goal from Pedro Porro in the 26th after he met a cross from James Maddison.
“I can’t ask any more of the lads,” said Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou. “It was disappointing to concede the way we did.”
Ulrik Saltnes struck twice as Bodø/Glimt stunned Lazio 2-0 in tough conditions just inside the Arctic Circle.
Earlier, heavy snowfall in Bodø put the game in doubt between the Norwegian champion and the side that had finished top in the league phase.
In a game played on an artificial pitch, Saltnes scored early in the second half with a low shot after Ole Didrik Blomberg fed him inside the area.
The midfielder then added his second goal by lobbing the ball over Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas, with Alessio Romagnoli's clearance coming after it crossed the line.
Ten-man Rangers and Athletic Bilbao shared a goalless draw in Glasgow, after the home side was reduced to 10 men in the 13th minute when defender Robin Pröpper brought down Iñaki Williams and was dismissed.
Alex Berenguer also missed a late penalty for Athletic.
All the second legs are next Thursday.
Chelsea is still cruising in the Europa Conference League after keeping its perfect record with a 3-0 win at Legia Warsaw.
Following a dull first half, Chelsea struck twice early in the second period and then added another goal.
Tyrique George netted the first in the 49th on a rebound, his first goal for the club, while second-half substitute Noni Madueke scored with a left-foot shot eight minutes later. It could have been three but Christopher Nkunku had his spot kick saved.
Madueke made it 3-0 from close range in the 74th.
In the other quarterfinal, first-leg games, Fiorentina won 2-1 at Celje, Real Betis beat Jagiellonia 2-0 and Rapid Vienna downed Djurgården 1-0.
All the second legs are next Thursday.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Tottenham's head coach Ange Postecoglou speaks to the players during the Europa League quarterfinals first leg soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Frankfurt's Arthur Theate, center, clears the ball before Tottenham's Brennan Johnson, background, can reach it during the Europa League quarterfinals first leg soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Athletic Bilbao's Oihan Sancet, center, heads the ball during the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal, first leg soccer match between Rangers and Athletic Bilbao at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland, Thursday April 10, 2025. (Steve Welsh/PA via AP)
Rangers' Dujon Sterling reacts following an injury during the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal, first leg soccer match between Rangers and Athletic Bilbao at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland, Thursday April 10, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
Rangers' Bailey Rice is carried off on a stretcher, during the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal, first leg soccer match between Rangers and Athletic Bilbao at Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland, Thursday April 10, 2025. (Steve Welsh/PA via AP)
Fiorentina's Rolando Mandragora scores his side's second goal from a penalty kick during the Europa Conference League first-leg quarterfinal soccer match between Celje and Fiorentina in Celje, Slovenia, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)
Lyon's goalkeeper Lucas Perri reacts after Rayan Cherki scored his side's second goal during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Manchester United's head coach Ruben Amorim gestures during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Lyon's Rayan Cherki, centre back to the camera, scores his side's second goal past Manchester United's goalkeeper Andre Onana during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Lyon's Rayan Cherki, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Bodø/Glimt's Ulrik Saltnes, right, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Europa League quarterfinal soccer match between Bodø/Glimt and Lazio at Aspmyra Stadium in Bodø, Norway, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Lise Åserud/NTB via AP)
Bodø/Glimt's Ulrik Saltnes celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Europa League quarterfinal soccer match between Bodø/Glimt and Lazio at Aspmyra Stadium in Bodø, Norway, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Lise Åserud/NTB via AP)
Legia's fans use flares during the Europa Conference League first-leg quarterfinals soccer match between Legia Warszawa and Chelsea at the Marshall Jozef Pilsudski's Municipal stadium in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Chelsea's Malo Gusto, center, jumps for the ball during the Europa Conference League first-leg quarterfinals soccer match between Legia Warszawa and Chelsea at the Marshall Jozef Pilsudski's Municipal stadium in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Chelsea players celebrate a goal against Legia during the Europa Conference League first-leg quarterfinals soccer match between Legia Warszawa and Chelsea at the Marshall Jozef Pilsudski's Municipal stadium in Warsaw, Poland, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Bodø/Glimt's Ole Didrik Blomberg, right, and Lazio's goalkeeper Christos Mandas react during the Europa League quarterfinal soccer match between Bodø/Glimt and Lazio at Aspmyra Stadium in Bodø, Norway, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Lise Åserud/NTB via AP)
Frankfurt's goalkeeper Kaua Santos watches the ball cross the goal line after Tottenham's Pedro Porro scored his side's first goal during the Europa League quarterfinals first leg soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Frankfurt's goalkeeper Kaua Santos makes a save during the Europa League quarterfinals first leg soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Frankfurt's goalkeeper Kaua Santos watches a shot from Tottenham's Pedro Porro hit the bar during the Europa League quarterfinals first leg soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Tottenham's Pedro Porro celebrates with James Maddison after scoring his side's first goal during the Europa League quarterfinals first leg soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Manchester United's Casemiro, centre, challenges for the ball with Lyon's Nicolas Tagliafico, centre left, and Moussa Niakhate, centre right, as Lyon's Thiago Almada, not in the picture, scores the opening goal during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Lyon's Corentin Tolisso, centre right, reacts during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Manchester United's Leny Yoro, second from right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's first goal during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Manchester United's Leny Yoro, left, celebrates with Alejandro Garnacho after scoring his side's first goal during the Europa League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Lyon and Manchester United at Groupama stadium in Decines, outside Lyon, France, Thursday, April 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
