Twins hold off Royals 4-3, now lead Sox by 5 1/2 games

  

MINNEAPOLIS—The Minnesota Twins can’t seem to explain why they have so much success against Kansas City ace Zack Greinke. For whatever reason, they just seem to have Greinke’s number.If they keep playing the way they have been recently, it won’t be long before they have the White Sox’ number as well.Brian Duensing allowed one run and struck out seven over eight innings and the Twins continued an impressive run of success against Greinke with a 4-3 victory Wednesday night to complete a three-game sweep.Duensing (8-2) allowed six hits and dropped his ERA to 2.02. J.J. Hardy homered and Denard Span added a two-run triple for the Twins, who have won six straight games to take a 5½-game lead over the White Sox in the AL Central. “If you can beat Greinke, it’s a good win,” said Duensing, whose Twins went 8-1 on the homestand.Greinke (8-12) fell to 0-4 with an 8.18 ERA against the Twins this season. He allowed four runs and five hits with four strikeouts and three walks in eight innings.The Royals scored twice in the ninth off Matt Capps on a groundout from Brayan Pena and a single from Alex Gordon. But Capps got pinch-hitter Mitch Maier to fly out for his 11th save in 13 tries.