MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Scott Diamond pitched eight solid innings,
Trevor Plouffe homered and the Minnesota Twins beat the Kansas City
Royals 7-2 in the opener of a day-night doubleheader Saturday.
Easily the Twins' most-effective starter since being called up
in May, Diamond (7-3) allowed two runs and six hits to give
Minnesota a big lift with another game coming up. Twins relievers
entered with the third-most innings (268 1/3) in the majors behind
the Royals (283 1/3) and Colorado (284 2/3).
Royals left-hander Jonathan Sanchez (1-4) didn't fare nearly as
well. While Diamond cruised through Kansas City's lineup, Sanchez
issued six walks and was done after 4 1-3 innings. Both starters
finished with 101 pitches.