Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals

Sanó takes part in another triple play, Twins top Royals 2-1

Sanó hit an RBI double in the third inning, then made the key defensive play in the bottom half.

Sanó has made a habit of these trifectas — while playing third base and first during his career, he's been a part of the last four triple plays turned by the Twins.

With Jarrod Dyson on second and Cam Gallagher on first, Nicky Lopez bunted to the right side. Sanó charged in to make the catch and threw to shortstop Andrelton Simmons to double off Dyson.

Simmons then trotted toward Gallagher and tossed to second baseman Nick Gordon, who was covering first, to complete the Twins' first triple play since 2019.

“As soon as I saw the ball, I tried to catch the ball, I tried to make the play. I saw the runners running so I threw to second and we were able to turn it," Sanó said.

The previous time Kansas City hit into a triple play was 2012.

“Triple plays normally don’t fare too well especially in close games,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “It was the right idea, but unfortunately we just did not have the right execution.”

Twins starter Bailey Ober gave up one run and five hits in four innings, striking out four in his second career start. The lone run came in the fourth when Andrew Benintendi singled home a run, his sixth RBI of the four-game series.

Relievers Luke Ferrell (1-0), Jorge Alcala, Tyler Duffy and Hansel Robles kept the Royals off the bases until the ninth inning, when Whit Merrifield hit a leadoff double. Taylor Rogers entered and finished for his fifth save of the year.

“The bullpen train came on in the fifth inning and every guy came in locked and loaded and throwing the ball the way we wanted to,” Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli said. “I wouldn’t say that those who came in were well-rested, but they just went in and did the job.”

Brady Singer (3-5) allowed two runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out seven.

The Twins took the lead in the fifth when Trevor Larnach was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

ROSTER MOVES

Royals: RHP Josh Staumont was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and RHP Tyler Zuber was optioned to Triple-A Omaha.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Twins: RHP Shaun Anderson (finger blisters) was placed on the 10-day IL. Ober was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul in the corresponding move. ... RHP Kenta Maeda (right adductor strain) threw a 35-pitch bullpen session, and a rehab assignment will likely be the next step for the 33-year-old righty, who is currently on the 10-day IL.

Royals: The Royals placed INF Adalberto Mondesí (left hamstring strain) on the 10-day IL and recalled OF Edward Olivares. Mondesí had returned to the major league roster on May 25 after missing the start of the season with a right oblique strain.

UP NEXT

Minnesota will return home to face the Yankees on Tuesday. Michael Pineda (3-3, 3.40) will take the mound for the Twins.

Kansas City begins a West Coast swing starting against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. Jackson Kowar will make his major league debut on the mound.

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