KANSAS CITY -- Twins starter Joe Ryan has not been kind to the Royals in his career, entering Saturday night with a career 1.34 ERA against Kansas City in 10 starts, with just nine runs allowed in 60 1/3 innings.

On Saturday, the Royals got him back.

Kansas City rode a five-run first inning off Ryan to an 11-2 win over Minnesota on Saturday at Kauffman Stadium, taking the series and keeping pace in what is turning out to be a wild American League Wild Card race .

The Royals (73-69) remain one game behind the Mariners (74-68) for the final AL Wild Card spot after both teams won Saturday.

Playing without Bobby Witt Jr. as he deals with low back spasms , the Royals did not let Witt’s absence -- as great as it is -- affect them on the field. Four of their five runs in the first innin

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