Player of the gameZebby MatthewsMIN7.0ip 5h 2er 2k
MINNEAPOLIS – Defense has been a problem of late for the Twins, but on Friday night, they sparkled in the field and got enough timely hitting to beat the Royals, 5-3, at Target Field. However, in the process they once again lost center fielder Byron Buxton due to injury. He hurt himself in the third inning after crashing into the outfield wall in center field while making a running catch to retire Carter Jensen. The Twins announced later in the game that Buxton exited due to a right shoulder contusion. It’s the same shoulder he injured on May 23 while sliding into second base in Boston. On the play, Jensen laced a ball to deep center field. Buxton raced back and made a backhanded catch before running face-first into the padded wall. The Twins’ training staff went out to check on Buxton, who convinced them he was healthy enough to stay in the game. He even made a running catch on a Vinnie Pasquantino fly ball to end the inning. However, when his spot in the batting order came up second in the bottom of the third inning, Tristan Gray entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Buxton. “When he came in and he said he hit that shoulder, the same shoulder that he had the issue with \[in May\
