The Kansas City Royals left runners in scoring position six times Sunday, Sept. 7, including the bases loaded in the eighth and ninth innings, failing to capitalize on opportunities in a 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins to wrap up the homestand at Kauffman Stadium.

Three times it fell to Salvador Perez to bring runners home, but unfortunately the clutch hit did not come through, grounding into a double play in the sixth inning after Vinnie Pasquantino singled home Maikel Garcia.  Perez also struck out in the fourth and grounded out in the eighth. Mike Yastrzemski also left runners in scoring position twice, while Luke Maile came up short when he struck out in the fifth. All told, nine Royals were stranded on base yesterday, as Minnesota allowed seven hits and five walks, but coaxed a pair of double plays.

Minnesota took the lead with the first at-bat, when Byron Buxton smashed his 30th home run of the year to left-center field. Starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen also allowed a two-run home run in the fourth to Kody Clemens. Luke Keachall stole second base in the sixth, then swiped home on a successful double-steal attempt. The Twins also drew a bases-loaded walk in the seventh to add insurance to their win, preventing a sweep of the weekend series.

Lorenzen took the loss after going 5.1 innings, allow four runs on seven hits while fanning five. Bailey Ober notched his fifth win of the year—his first in four months—also going 5.1 innings and allowing the one run on four hits and a walk, striking out six.

The Royals lost ground int he wild card chase, following wins by Seattle, Texas, and Cleveland. KC now trail Seattle for the third spot by two games, while 8.5 behind Detroit for the AL Central lead. A crucial four-game series against Cleveland begins Monday on the lakefront, as Ryan Bergert takes the mound. Pregame from Progressive Field begins at 5 p.m. on KMMO AM 1300, with first pitch at 5:40 p.m., on KMMO-FM 102.9.