KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 25 (UPI) -- Denard Span's single in the 12th inning drove in the go-ahead run Saturday, boosting the Minnesota Twins to a 9-7 victory over Kansas City.
Delmon Young began the winning rally with a lead-off double off Robinson Tejeda (1-2), and after J.J. Hardy walked and Alexi Casilla reached on a bunt single to load the bases, Span blooped a single to shallow center, plating Young with the winning run.
Jon Rauch (1-0) pitched a scoreless bottom of the 12th for the win after blowing a lead in the inning earlier when he allowed Jose Guillen to double in the tying run.
Justin Morneau's two-run shot in the seventh inning forced the extra frames, erasing a 6-4 Kansas City lead, while Joe Mauer was 5-for-6 with a double, triple, a run scored and two RBI as the Twins clinched winning their sixth consecutive series to start the season.
The Royals were led by Billy Butler with four hits and an RBI while Guillen added two doubles and knocked in a pair as Kansas City lost for the fourth time in five games.
