Minnesota @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 13, 2018 ) Minnesota 4, Kansas City 6

The Kansas City Royals took the first step toward avenging last weekend's series loss and attempt to take another when they host the Minnesota Twins on Friday for the second contest of their four-game set. Kansas City lost two of three in Minnesota before beginning a seven-game homestand with three wins in four contests, including a series-opening 6-4 triumph on Thursday.

Salvador Perez and Jorge Bonifacio hit back-to-back homers during a four-run sixth inning for the Royals, who were held without a hit over the first five frames. Perez also recorded a double as he has hit safely in eight of his last nine contests, registering four home runs and nine RBIs in that span. Rookie Jake Cave notched two of Minnesota's seven hits, including a two-run blast in the second inning, to improve to 6-for-16 during his modest four-game hitting streak. Robbie Grossman doubled and drove in a run for the Twins, who have won their last two series after losing five in a row.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Jose Berrios (11-11, 3.83 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jorge Lopez (2-4, 3.72)

Berrios' winless streak reached six starts as he lost his third straight outing Saturday despite allowing just one run and three hits in six innings against Kansas City. The setback dropped the 24-year-old Puerto Rican to 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA in three turns versus the Royals this season and 2-2 with a 4.53 mark in eight career starts. Berrios has not won since defeating Kansas City at home on Aug. 4, when he gave up two runs and five hits over seven frames.

Lopez was the reason Berrios took the loss on Saturday as he carried a perfect game into the ninth inning in Minnesota, but he issued a walk to the leadoff hitter and yielded a single before being lifted. The 25-year-old, who also hails from Puerto Rico, came away with his second straight victory after losing each of his first three starts following his acquisition from Milwaukee in the deal involving Mike Moustakas. Lopez made 10 relief appearances for the Brewers this season but hadn't made a start since 2015, when he got the call in each of his first two major-league appearances.

WALK-OFFS

1. Twins C Mitch Garver was kept out of the lineup Thursday but was progessing nicely, according to manager Paul Molitor, one day after taking a foul ball to the mask that forced his exit from a victory over the New York Yankees and undergoing concussion tests.

2. Perez is the ninth player in Royals history record back-to-back seasons of at least 25 home runs.

3. Minnesota SS Jorge Polanco is 7-for-21 over his last five games.

PREDICTION: Twins 6, Royals 2