Minnesota @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 5, 2013 ) Minnesota 1, Kansas City 4

The Kansas City Royals won their first home game in exactly one month by winning the second game of the series and now look to win the finale of the three-game set against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. Kansas City lost a franchise-record 11 straight home games before producing a 4-1 victory on Wednesday. Minnesota left 14 runners on base while falling for only the second time in nine games.

The Royals have scored 15 runs in six games since Hall of Famer George Brett became hitting coach. Billy Butler had three hits and an RBI and David Lough hit a two-run double in Kansas City’s first home win since beating the Chicago White Sox on May 5. Minnesota outfielder Ryan Doumit has 13 RBIs over the last nine games and Josh Willingham drove in the lone run in Wednesday’s loss.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports North (Minnesota), Fox Sports Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Mike Pelfrey (3-6, 6.66 ERA) vs. Royals RH Wade Davis (3-5, 6.16)

Pelfrey was rocked for six runs and eight innings in two innings while losing his lone career start against the Royals on April 9. He has lost three straight decisions, including when he gave up three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings against Seattle in his last outing. Opponents have a .332 average against Pelfrey this season.

Davis defeated Minnesota on April 10 when he tossed five shutout innings. He is 3-0 with a 4.08 ERA in seven career appearances (six starts) against the Twins. Davis struck out a season-high eight in five innings against Texas in his last outing but gave up six runs and 10 hits to suffer the loss.

WALK-OFFS

1. Willingham has at least one RBI in each of the last four games and has driven in six during the stretch.

2. Royals 1B Eric Hosmer is 1-for-12 over the past three games.

3. Twins C Joe Mauer is 5-for-8 against Davis but fanned twice against him while going 1-for-3 in April.

PREDICTION: Royals 8, Twins 3