MINNEAPOLIS — — Bobby Witt Jr. homered on a pitch outside the strike zone for the fourth time this season and Paul DeJong finished a triple short of the cycle, helping the Kansas City Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 4-1 Wednesday to avoid a series sweep.
Witt leads the major leagues with a .349 average.
Cole Ragans (10-7) struck out eight and walked none in seven innings, allowing one run and five hits. He has won three straight starts for the first time as a major leaguer.
Lucas Erceg induced two groundouts and a popup in a 13-pitch outing for his fifth save in eight chances.
A day off for KC Thursday, RHP Michael Lorenzen (5-6, 3.79 ERA) is set to open Kansas City’s three-game series in Cincinnati against Reds RHP Nick Martinez (6-5, 3.16) on Friday.