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Injuries to several key players haven't prevented the Minnesota Twins from
taking sole possession of first place in the AL Central.
Minnesota looks to make it four wins in as many games this season against the
Kansas City Royals when the teams open a three-game set at Kauffman Stadium.
Despite playing without injured center fielder Torii Hunter, catcher Joe Mauer and designated hitter Matthew LeCroy for much of this season, the Twins are first in the AL Central with one of the best records in the majors.
One of the biggest reasons for Minnesota's early season success has been the play of rookie Lew Ford, batting .450 (18-for-40) with three homers and a team-best 15 RBIs. Ford has hit in nine of 11 games, including eight straight, since being called up to replace Hunter on April 10.
Ford hit two hits, including a three-run homer, in the Twins' 4-3 victory over visiting Detroit Thursday.
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Though Hunter, who has a strained hamstring, could be activated from the disabled
list over the weekend, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire may not have a problem finding
playing time for Ford. Left fielder Shannon Stewart left Thursday's game after
six innings with a cramp in his right hamstring and may not play Friday.
Minnesota has won seven of eight, including a three-game sweep of Kansas City at the Metrodome last weekend. The Twins had 30 hits and outscored the Royals 25-14 in that series.
Kansas City ended a six-game losing streak with a 15-5 victory at Cleveland on Tuesday, but fell back into its losing ways with a 5-4 defeat Thursday after Wednesday's game was postponed due to rain.
Jeremy Affeldt held the Indians without an earned run and two hits in seven innings, but Jason Grimsley gave up three runs in the eighth without recording an out.
``We wasted a great outing by Affeldt,'' Royals manager Tony Pena said. ``It's the best I've seen him throw as a starter.''
With regular first baseman Mike Sweeney sidelined with a sore right wrist, Ken Harvey filled in and matched a career high with four hits.
The Royals lead the AL with 25 homers, but that has been offset by a pitching staff that has a 5.58 ERA -- among the worst in the league.
Carlos Beltran should be happy to see Kyle Lohse starting for the Twins. Beltran
is batting .632 (12-for-19) with four home runs and seven RBIs and five walks
lifetime against the Minnesota right-hander. Beltran hit a solo homer off Lohse
in an 8-4 loss to Kansas City on Saturday.