Carl Pavano has a World Series ring, plenty of pitching experience in October and even an All-Star game appearance.

The end of this mess of a season for the Minnesota Twins still mattered to the veteran right-hander, who wanted no part of 100 losses.

Trevor Plouffe’s RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning gave Pavano and the Twins a 1-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, helping Minnesota stave off that dubious 100th defeat.

“It was a crazy game. I’m sure you guys understand what we had hanging over our heads. No one wants to lose 100 games,” Pavano said. “This year’s definitely been a disappointment for all of us, team-wise, but you’ve got to battle.”

Pavano (9-13) went the distance for the win, the first time he pitched nine scoreless innings since July 22, 2010. He gave up five hits and struck out three to help the Twins finish with two straight wins, their first consecutive victories since Aug. 31 and Sept. 2.

“You’re only as good as your last game, right?” a smiling right fielder Michael Cuddyer said. “There you go.”

Pavano even lobbied to take the mound for the 10th, as if he were Jack Morris pitching for the Twins in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, but manager Ron Gardenhire told him Joe Nathan would be taking his place.

“He gave me the death stare,” Gardenhire said.

Bruce Chen pitched eight shutout innings against the Twins for the second time this month, and the Royals turned to Blake Wood (5-3) for the ninth. Pinch-hitter Denard Span hit a one-out double, after Gardenhire told him to do just that. Span took third on a groundout and trotted home on Plouffe’s sharp single to left.

Plouffe raced around first base with his teammates chasing him from the dugout for a celebratory pileup, completing a season that was anything but fun. The Twins (63-99) still finished with the second-worst record in their 51 years in Minnesota.

Plouffe was careful, though, to clarify 99 losses is just as bad of a performance, pinning the exuberance on the desire to send the customers home happy. The Twins finished 33-48 at Target Field this year.

“We wanted to show the fans that we don’t give up,” Plouffe said.

Chen gave up eight hits, struck out four and walked two, capping a solid season for the crafty lefty. The Twins were 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position until Plouffe’s winner.

The Royals finished 71-91, a slight improvement from last season, but their cadre of rising stars gives them plenty of eagerness for 2012.

First baseman Eric Hosmer made himself a candidate for AL Rookie of the Year with a .293 batting average, 19 home runs and 78 RBIs, and center fielder Melky Cabrera had an exceptional season.

Kansas City threatened in the eighth. Mike Moustakas led off with a high fly down the line that Cuddyer let bounce off the wall in right, then skip by him. The Royals were cajoling Moustakas from the dugout to try for an inside-the-park homer, but he heeded third base coach Eddie Rodriguez’s stop sign and settled for a triple.

But Lorenzo Cain and Mitch Maier were each retired on comebackers to the mound — Cain’s a hot shot and Maier’s a slow roller — and Alcides Escobar grounded out to end the inning.

This wasn’t quite Game 7 of that 1991 World Series, when the Twins took down the Atlanta Braves 1-0 in 10 innings, but the crowd — paid attendance was 36,488 — emitted a lively cheer after Pavano’s escape.

The attempt to avoid reaching triple digits in the loss column provided some rather amusing drama to an otherwise-meaningless game. One local sports talk radio host even snarkily pushed the “Hunt for Hundred” campaign on Twitter and on the air so the Twins would have a glaringly large round number to stamp on this collosally unsuccessful season. One fan in the club seats held up a sign to honor the slogan.

But there were no Bronx-style cheers audible on this night. Pavano got a standing ovation as he finished a perfect ninth and walked to the dugout, and the roar was even louder when Plouffe’s bat hit the ball.

“We haven’t given them a very good show this year, but again tonight they showed up and packed it and they were standing on their feet at the end,” Gardenhire said. “That’s typical. You kind of expect that around here, but it sure makes you feel a lot better going into the offseason.”

John Gordon, the primary radio voice of the Twins since 1987, called his last game in the broadcast booth, which the team named after him in honor of his retirement. The Twins didn’t give him many highlights at all to narrate this year, but he choked up during a pregame ceremony and took off in a sidecar next to broadcast partner Dan Gladden’s motorcycle for a spin around the warning track to wave to the fans.

— Associated Press —

The Minnesota Twins entered the final series of the season with one goal — to avoid losing 100 games.

They’re one game away from making that happen. In a season that has been so disappointing, they’ll take any small victory they can get.

Rene Tosoni hit a grand slam and Chris Parmelee also went deep to lift the Twins to a 7-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.

Anthony Swarzak (4-7) gave up two runs on 10 hits with six strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings for the Twins (62-99), who are hoping to avoid becoming just the second team in franchise history to lose 100 games in a season.

“We want to win tomorrow and stay away from that stuff,” manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Sean O’Sullivan (2-6) gave up six runs on nine hits with one strikeout in five innings for the Royals. Johnny Giavotella had two doubles and a triple and Salvador Perez added two hits and an RBI for Kansas City.

O’Sullivan gave up three straight singles to start the sixth before leaving. Tosoni hit Vin Mazzaro’s first pitch well into the right field seats for a 7-2 lead.

Tosoni said he couldn’t remember the last time he hit a grand slam. He didn’t hit one in the minors and couldn’t remember hitting one as a prep star in Canada, either.

“It felt pretty good off the bat,” Tosoni said with a chuckle.

The Royals scored twice in the ninth off Twins closer Joe Nathan before Eric Hosmer struck out to end the game.

Parmelee had two hits to raise his average to .351, continuing his impressive showing since being called up from Double-A New Britain. His 427-foot homer to right-center field tied the game 1-1 in the second inning.

Trevor Plouffe had three hits while Ben Revere and Denard Span had RBI triples for the Twins. Revere tried to turn his into an inside-the-park home run in the fifth, but he was thrown out by Alcides Escobar at home after running through coach Steve Liddle’s stop sign.

It ended up not mattering after Tosoni hit a fastball from Mazzaro soaring out of the ballpark for just the second grand slam by a Twins player this season.

“I was trying to make contact on the guy and get a double play,” Mazzaro said. “It was just middle down and I was trying to go in on him and it just leaked back over the plate.”

The Twins have only lost 100 games one other time in their proud history, back in 1982 when they went 60-102.

“I haven’t talked about it much with other guys, but you don’t want to get to that mark,” Tosoni said. “We want to finish winning, so that’s our plan.”

The struggles this season seemingly came out of the nowhere.

The Twins won the previous two AL Central titles and came into this season brimming with confidence. But injuries to practically every starter on the roster, including stars Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Jim Thome and Jason Kubel, were too much to overcome.

They sunk to the bottom of the American League and started the day a full 10 games behind the improving Royals for last place in the division.

The setback slightly stunted some nice momentum the Royals had been building as the season comes to a close. They had won 11 of their previous 14 games, getting promising performances from a bevy of highly touted youngsters including Mike Moustakas, Hosmer and Escobar.

Moustakas had two hits in the game.

Swarzak gave up an RBI single to Lorenzo Cain in the second and one more run on a fielder’s choice in the sixth in an impressive performance. He has been a jack of all trades for the Twins’ banged up pitching staff, and his versatility has put him in good standing with the organization heading into next season.

“I’ve put myself in pretty good position for a job next year,” Swarzak said. “Where that is, I don’t know and honestly I don’t care. I just want the ball.”

— Associated Press —

Melky Cabrera and Felipe Paulino were given fresh starts by Kansas City in 2011. The two showed Monday night why they have the Royals excited for 2012.

Cabrera became the first Kansas City player in 11 years to reach 200 hits and Paulino (4-6) won for the third time in his last four decisions as the Royals topped the Minnesota Twins 7-3.

Cabrera hit an infield single and scored the game’s opening run in the first inning, then another infield single for his 201st hit to spark a four-run sixth. He became the sixth player in Kansas City history to eclipse 200 hits and the first since Johnny Damon and Mike Sweeney both did it in 2000. Cabrera’s previous career best for hits in a season was 149 in 2007 while with the New York Yankees.

“I’m very thankful for the Kansas City Royals organization for giving me the chance to play here every day,” Cabrera said through interpreter and teammate Brayan Pena. “I never thought this offseason I would have a season like I’ve had, but I work hard and try to do my best to improve my game.”

Kevin Slowey (0-8) was tagged with the loss for Minnesota, its third straight against the Royals. The Twins must win both of their final two games against Kansas City to avoid its second 100-loss season since moving to the Twin Cities in 1961.

Cabrera has combined with Alex Gordon and Jeff Francoeur to lead all Major League outfields with a .298 collective batting average, 581 hits, 218 extra-base hits, 141 doubles and 937 total bases. The trio is also among the top four with 296 runs, 270 RBI and a .831 OPS. They are three of only five players in baseball with at least 40 doubles, 15 homers and 15 steals.

The 27-year-old Cabrera has chipped in with career bests in home runs (18) and RBI (87) while poised for his first career .300 season at .305 with two games to play.

All three players have surpassed even the team’s most optimistic expectations.

“I felt like all three would have really solid years, but what they’ve done has gone way above that offensively and defensively, as a group and individually,” manager Ned Yost said. “They’ve been fantastic. They’ve put up historic numbers.”

On defense, Gordon, Francoeur and Cabrera all have double-digit assist totals — just the second outfield trio to accomplish the feat in club history. Gordon’s 20 outfield assists lead the majors and Francouer’s 16 are second.

The trio goes into the offseason on Thursday with easy instructions from Yost for 2012.

“All three of them, none of them have to do anything more than they did this year,” Yost said. “They have showed up every single day ready to play and perform.”

Yost hopes he can count on the same from Paulino.

Acquired May 26 from Colorado for cash considerations, Paulino continued his career revival with Kansas City by allowing three runs and six hits in six innings, striking out nine. The right-hander has 17 strikeouts in his last two outings and at least eight in three of his last four starts.

“I really have an appreciation for the Royals bringing me back to this team,” Paulino said. “You get the opportunity to be a starter, so show what you’ve got. I’m so excited for the great team we have. It will be nice to be part of this next year, part of the rotation here.”

Paulino has a 4.46 ERA with the Royals. He came to Kansas City with a 5.93 career mark in 223 innings.

“I’m happy for him,” Yost said. “He got a second life here with us and he took full advantage of it.”

Michael Cuddyer hit his 20th home run of the year for the Twins off Paulino, reaching the plateau for the third time in his career. But even he had nothing but praise for the 27-year-old.

“He’s got as good of stuff as anybody in this game, anybody we’ve faced all year,” Cuddyer said. “Stuff-wise, I’d put him right up there with any of them.”

Slowey allowed five runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings, becoming the first major league pitcher to make at least eight starts and lose them all since the St. Louis Browns’ Lou Sleater went 0-8 in 1951, according to STATS LLC. Minnesota fell to 0-14 in games Slowey pitched in this season.

— Associated Press —

Bruce Chen enjoys U.S. Cellular Field, especially since he’s figured out how to pitch on the home field of Chicago White Sox.

“I know it’s a hitter’s park, but if you keep the ball down, you give yourself a chance,” Chen said.

Chen allowed only two hits in eight strong innings and the Kansas City Royals hit four homers off Zach Stewart to rout the White Sox 11-1 Friday night.

Jeff Francoeur, Eric Hosmer, Salvador Perez and Alcides Escobar also homered for the Royals. Kansas City has won nine of 11 overall in a late-season surge.

Chen (12-8) finished 3-1 this season against the White Sox, with all three of the wins at U.S. Cellular Field. His lone loss to Chicago came last Sunday in Kansas City, when he gave up nine hits and four runs in 5 1/3 innings.

The only hit allowed by Chen through the first six innings was an infield single by Dayan Viciedo in the second. It was a grounder in the hole that third baseman Mike Moustakas fielded, and he spun around and threw high to first. Paul Konerko hit his 31st homer in the seventh inning.

Chen walked one and struck out four. Vin Mazzaro pitched a hitless ninth.

“Bruce has been good against us and pitching well all year long. Now it’s no mystery,” said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, who was Chen’s teammate with Atlanta in the late 1990s. “He owns the White Sox.”

With Guillen’s future unclear, Chicago has lost 10 of 13. And Friday night’s defeat left the White Sox at 76-81, ensuring they won’t have a winning record despite a $127 million payroll.

“Obviously it’s been a very tough season for everyone,” Guillen said.

Hosmer hit a solo shot in the second, his 19th of the season. Perez had a three-run drive in the fourth, his third of the season, and Escobar followed one batter later with his fourth homer of the season.

Francoeur connected for his 20th of the season, a two-run shot, in the fifth to reach the 20-20 plateau. He also has 22 steals.

“It was a lot of fun. It’s something I really wanted to accomplish,” Francoeur said.

“It’s been a good year. To be able to do that tonight. I credit Seitz (hitting coach Kevin Seitzer), and with the base stealing, Siss (first base coach Doug Sisson) gets all that (credit). I came in the first day of camp and he was on my butt about stealing bases. He told me I’d steal 20. I didn’t believe him.”

Stewart, who gave up 12 hits and nine runs and also committed two errors in four-plus innings. Stewart (2-6) lost for the third straight time since pitching a one-hit shutout against the Twins on Sept. 5.

“It’s very frustrating. … it just makes you sick all the way around,” Stewart said.

Kansas City finished with 18 hits, four by Moustakas.

— Associated Press —

The Detroit Tigers had already clinched the AL Central title, so manager Jim Leyland decided he would start getting his starting staff in order against the Kansas City Royals.

Max Scherzer began the game Wednesday night and went five strong innings. Doug Fister came into the game in relief and was even better, tossing three scoreless frames. And Jose Valverde finished up the Tigers’ 6-3 victory for his 47th save in as many chances.

Just like Leyland had drawn up.

“That was just what we got to do,” Leyland said. “We have to get everything lined up for the playoffs, so we used our pitching like that tonight, and it worked out fine.”

No kidding.

Ryan Raburn was hit by a pitch from Kelvin Herrera (0-1) in the eighth inning and eventually scored the go-ahead run. Don Kelly added a two-run shot moments later, and Victor Martinez added the other three RBIs as Detroit wrapped up a long road trip with its 25th win in 32 games.

“I feel very good about the playoffs,” said Scherzer, who allowed two runs in his five innings of work. Fister (10-13) allowed an unearned run the three innings he was in the game.

The late rally off Herrera by the AL Central champs spoiled the Royals’ chance to finish with a winning record at home for the first time since 2000. Instead, Kansas City heads out for a season-ending six-game road trip with a 40-41 mark at Kauffman Stadium.

“It’s my first time,” said Herrera, who admitted being a bit nervous. “I’ve got to do more than that.”

Detroit struck first when Felipe Paulino walked Austin Jackson to lead off the game. The speedy Tigers outfielder stole second base easily and then scored on Martinez’s single.

Kansas City answered in the bottom half of the first with RBI doubles by Billy Butler and Jeff Francoeur. Butler’s double was his 40th of the season, making Kansas City only the fourth franchise in major league history with four players with that many doubles. The other teams to accomplish the feat were the 2006 Rangers, the ’32 Phillies and the ’29 Tigers.

Martinez tied the game with an RBI groundout in the fifth.

The Royals pulled back ahead in the sixth when Melky Cabrera led off with a double. Butler singled to right field moments later, and Raburn — who had entered the game as a pinch hitter in the top of the inning — couldn’t get a handle on the ball. His error allowed Cabrera to scamper home.

Everything unraveled for the Royals when Herrera entered the game in the eighth inning, and the Tigers capitalized on his mistakes to win for the 27th time in their last 40 away from home.

Now, they head back to Comerica Park for four games against the Orioles and three against the Indians, and then it’s on to bigger and — the Tigers hope — better things.

“It’s awesome. We came out and played hard, played 100 percent,” Detroit slugger Miguel Cabrera said. “It’s going to be nice going home and getting ready for the playoffs.”

— Associated Press —

Eric Hosmer went 5 for 5 with a three-run homer and Luis Mendoza got his first major league win in more than three years in the Kansas City Royals’ 10-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.

Hosmer’s five-hit game was the first by a Royals player since Billy Butler on July 27, 2009.

Mendoza, the Pacific Coast League pitcher of the year after going 12-5 with a league-best 2.18 ERA, held the Tigers to two runs, one unearned, and six hits in seven innings in his first big league appearance since April 19, 2010.

Mendoza (1-0) got his first major league victory since Aug. 3, 2008 while with the Texas Rangers, an 8-4 decision over Toronto.

Hosmer’s three-run homer off Brad Penny highlighted a six-run fourth inning to put the game out of reach. Perez homered with Mitch Maier aboard the next inning after fouling off five consecutive pitches from Duane Below.

Alex Gordon started the bottom of the first with his fifth leadoff homer of the year.

Penny (10-11) allowed seven runs on 10 hits in four innings to lose for the first time since Aug. 28.

Austin Jackson’s double in the fifth scored Andy Dirks with the first Detroit run. Ramon Santiago, who reached on second baseman Johnny Giavotella’s error, scored on Delmon Young’s sacrifice fly in the seventh for the other Tigers run.

A.J. Pierzynski went on the disabled list for the first time in his career when he was hit by a pitch from Bruce Chen on Aug. 12 and broke his left wrist.

Pierzynski got a measure of revenge Sunday against Chen and the Kansas City Royals, homering twice among his four hits and driving in four runs as the Chicago White Sox snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 10-5 victory over the Royals.

“It’s still stinging and bothers me a bit,” Pierzynski said. “It was nice to have a good day and get a win. It feels like its been a while. That gives us a chance to relax a bit. You feel like every day you’re grinding, grinding, grinding and now we’re going towards the offseason.”

Paul Konerko and Pierzynski had back-to-back homers leading off the seventh against rookie reliever Louis Coleman. It was Konerko’s 30th home run. Konerko, who also singled home Juan Pierre in the eighth for his 103rd RBI, has reached 30 home runs and 100 RBIs for the fifth time in his career.

“It’s one of those things that when I came into the season that I kind of felt like that’s my job, to drive in runs,” Konerko said. “The last couple of years I’ve been kind of in a mode of switching up goals. I feel like if I can stay healthy and get in 150 games, the by product will be the numbers.”

The White Sox took an early 4-0 lead in ending the Royals’ seven-game winning streak, Kansas City’s longest run since notching seven in a row Sept. 13-18, 2008.

“I’m kinda like bummed out that I lost the game because we’re on a roll and playing really good,” Chen said. “I was mixing in my pitches well, but unfortunately we didn’t come out with a win. We’re playing good and I wanted to keep it going.”

Pierzynski’s three-run homer off Jesse Chavez in the eighth struck the right-field foul pole. It was Pierzynski’s fourth career multihomer game — the past two have been at Kauffman Stadium, his previous coming July 9, 2010.

Brent Morel’s double in the second scored Pierzynski and Dayan Viciedo, who had both singled.

In the fourth, Adam Dunn doubled home Alex Rios for his first extra-base hit against a left-hander, in his 89th at-bat this season. Dunn stopped at third on Viciedo’s single and scored on Gordon Beckham’s sacrifice fly.

The Royals scored a pair of runs in the fifth with Yamaico Navarro and Billy Butler getting the RBIs. Johnny Giavotella’s triple in the sixth scored Jeff Francoeur, cutting the White Sox lead to 4-3. Giavotella’s third hit in the ninth scored Eric Hosmer.

Hosmer, who had three hits, had an RBI single in the seventh. The Royals collected 15 hits.

“And we still lost,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.

Left-hander John Danks (7-12), who was 0-3 with a 10.91 ERA in his previous three starts allowed 10 hits and four runs in six-plus innings.

“He wasn’t perfect, but he made the pitches when he had to and that’s what you want to see,” Pierzynski said.

Chen (11-8) took the loss and is 1/3 in four September starts. He allowed four runs on nine hits and two walks in 5 1/3 innings.

— Associated Press —

Eric Hosmer had three hits and doubled in the winning run in the ninth inning to lift Kansas City to a 7-6 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night that extended the Royals’ winning streak to six games.

Hosmer’s liner over the head of left fielder Juan Pierre scored Alex Gordon, who led off the inning with a single. After Melky Cabrera’s sacrifice bunt moved Gordon to second, Billy Butler was walked intentionally.

It was the Royals’ 12th walk-off victory this season.

Greg Holland (5-1) worked the ninth to pick up the victory. Matt Thornton (1-5) took the loss in the White Sox’ sixth straight defeat.

Mike Moustakas and Jeff Francoeur each had three hits and drove in two runs for the Royals.

The last time the Royals won six consecutive games was May 2-7, 2009.

Moustakas, who hit a minor league-leading 36 home runs last year, hit Philip Humber’s 2-1 pitch into the right-field bullpen for his third home run with Francoeur aboard in the fourth. After going 281 at-bats without a home run, Moustakas has hit two in his past three games.

Francoeur singled home Butler in the first and Hosmer in the fourth. Francoeur led off the sixth with a single, advanced to third on Moustakas’ single and scored on Johnny Giavotella’s fielder’s choice grounder. Butler drove in Gordon with a first-inning single.

Royals starter Felipe Paulino allowed three runs on seven hits, while walking three and striking out three. He left with a 6-3 lead that the bullpen failed to hold.

Humber, who was 1-0 with a 1.26 ERA in his previous three starts, gave up six runs on nine hits and two walks, while striking out four in six innings in a no-decision. That matched the most runs Humber had permitted this year.

A.J. Pierzynski, who had three hits Thursday, drove in two of the White Sox’ runs with a sacrifice fly in the first and a single in the seventh.

The White Sox tied it at 6-6 in the eighth on Brent Morel’s two-run homer off Royals rookie left-hander Tim Collins.

Alexei Ramirez had three singles and drove in a run in the fifth for the White Sox.

— Associated Press —

Billy Butler had the big hit — a three-run homer — while Melky Cabrera had four hits, including a home run and a historic double.

Butler three-run homer in the sixth propelled Kansas City to a 7-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night for the Royals fifth straight victory.

The loss officially eliminated the White Sox from the playoffs.

“It’s a very disappointing, very inconsistent season,” White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. “I have regrets. Regrets we didn’t play better. I thought we had a better shot to win the division. Detroit earned it with the way they’ve played.”

The Royals’ five-game winning streak is their longest since they won five straight from Sept. 7-11, 2009.

Butler was in a 2-for-27 skid coming into the game.

“I’ve had a string of a bad week or so,” Butler said. “It’s good to come out of it. I hit that ball good and did some damage with it. I had a couple of more opportunities. Up and down the lineup we’re doing well. We’re picking each other up.”

Cabrera’s four-hit game matched a career high and his double in the sixth was his 40th as an outfielder — he has one as a DH. The Royals are the first team in major league history to have three outfielders with 40 or more doubles. Alex Gordon and Jeff Francoeur both have 45.

“When you look at our outfield offensively, the first time in the history of the game three outfielders have 40-plus doubles and add that to the fact that the same outfield is leading all of baseball in assists (with 50), they are a pretty special group,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.

“The three outfielders have been the cornerstone of our team. They are the veteran guys. They provide all the leadership. They provide a big chunk of the offense and a big chunk of the defense.”

Cabrera raised his average to .303.

“Melky has been a huge addition,” Butler said. “The way he played tonight was unbelievable. That’s the way he’s been all year. He’s been very consistent. You can pretty much look at any game and he’s made a difference for us offensively.”

Butler’s 19th home run in the sixth inning came off Mark Buehrle (11-9), who has lost five of his last six starts. Buehrle, who gave up a career high 15 hits, left in the seventh inning after being struck in the left biceps by an Alcides Escobar line drive. Buehrle said he does not anticipate he will miss his next start.

“It’s fine,” he said. “I could have stayed in, but there’s no reason when you’re getting your fanny handed to you.”

Buehrle has a career 22-12 career record against Kansas City.

“Its feast or famine, that’s the way it is with him,” Butler said. “Throughout his career, it’s been more feast for him than us. It’s good to get one from him. It took a shot off his arm to get him out of there. He’s given us a lot of tough times in the past.”

Cabrera homered in the first, while Butler scored on Salvador Perez’s two-out single for the second run of the inning.

Left-hander Jeff Francis, who was 1-5 in his previous seven starts, allowed two runs, eight hits and two walks in six innings. Both runs off Francis (6-16) came on sacrifice flies — by Alex Ramirez in the third and Tyler Flowers in the sixth.

“Look at his full body of work over the course of the year and he’s pitched much better than his record will indicate,” Yost said. “He’s had a real solid year.”

Every Royal had a hit except for Gordon, who walked twice. Perez’s three hits matched his career high, while Yamaico Navarro drove in two runs with a single and a sacrifice fly.

The White Sox opened the sixth with singles by Paul Konerko, Alex Rios and A.J. Pierzynski, but Francis limited them to one run on Flowers’ sacrifice fly.

— Associated Press —

Luke Hochevar had the flu. Still, the Kansas City Royals right-hander was healthy enough to curb a sickly Minnesota Twins offense.

Hochevar pitched six solid innings and Mike Moustakas had three hits and drove in two runs as the Royals defeated the Twins 7-3 Wednesday.

The Royals have won four straight, matching the longest winning streak of the season, while the Twins have lost 19 of 23 and are in last place in the AL Central after winning the division the past two years. The Twins scored 10 runs and committed seven errors in losing all five on this trip to Kansas City and Detroit.

“Hoch got the flu (Tuesday) and has been battling a low-grade fever,” Royals manager Ned Yost. “After six innings, his tank was on empty. He was done.”

Hochevar (11-11) gave up two runs on five hits in six innings. Hochevar improved to 6-3 in 12 starts since the All-Star break.

“Something kind of came on after we got back from Seattle.” Hochevar said. “I didn’t have the energy I normally have. My body felt dead and tired. It’s part of it. What it comes down to it, it doesn’t really matter how you feel, its how you execute. I just went out and tried to execute good pitches.

“They were real aggressive. They were swinging at first and second pitches. I let them put the ball in play and let our defense work.”

Moustakas drove in runs in the second and fourth inning with singles. He doubled and scored in the two-run sixth inning.

“Moose has gotten on track really nice,” Yost said. “His swings are much better. He’s really driving the ball nice. The double he hit off the wall would have been a home run (Tuesday). The wind was really howling in. I didn’t think you could smoke a ball to the wall today in center field and he did.”

Moustakas has 19 multi-hit games and his three hits ties a career high.

“I was just happy I put solid contact on that and (Ben) Revere didn’t make one of his circus catches out there,” Moustakas said of his double. “My first two at-bats, I had runners on first and second, which makes my job a whole lot easier.”

Jeff Francoeur also had three hits and scored two runs. Eric Hosmer, Francoeur and Moustakas — the Royals’ four, five and six hitters — went a combined 8-for-12 and scored five runs.

Salvador Perez drove in a pair of runs with a fourth inning double and a sixth inning single.

Johnny Giavotella had two RBIs without a hit. His sacrifice fly in the second scored Francoeur. In the three-run fourth, Giavotella reached on a Trevor Plouffe throwing error, allowing Francoeur to score.

Greg Holland, one of six rookies used by the Royals, got the final two outs to log his third save in five opportunities. Yost said closer Joakim Soria has a hamstring injury and was not available.

“It’s not serious, but we don’t want to push it this late in the season,” Yost said.

Liam Hendricks, who was making his second big league start, was roughed up for five runs on eight hits in five innings. Hendricks (0-2) was 12-6 with a 3.36 ERA in the minors before his Sept. 6 promotion.

“They’re a fastball hitting team and I missed with my fastballs,” Hendricks said. “I need to make better pitches with my fastball. I threw some good pitches they hit and I threw some bad pitches they hit harder. I’ve got to make sure I can throw my fastball with better location.”

Danny Valencia, Jason Kubel and Michael Cuddyer had the Twins RBIs. Cuddyer had two hits, including a triple, and walked with the bases loaded in the seventh. Three Kansas City relievers combined to walk six in three innings.

The Twins scored 10 runs and committed nine errors in losing all five on this trip to Kansas City and Detroit.

— Associated Press —