Joe Mauer’s raises average to .392, 3-for-3 day leads Twins over Royals 5-1

Mauer has 3 singles, leads Twins past KC 5-1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Joe Mauer went 3-for-3, raising his average to .392 and backing pitcher Glen Perkins in the Minnesota Twins’ 5-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.

After walking in the first inning, Mauer stroked three consecutive singles, driving in one run and scoring another as the Twins completed a 6-3 trip that began in Milwaukee and St. Louis. He was walked intentionally in the eighth.

Mauer’s average would lead the major leagues but his 240 plate appearances are eight shy of the 3.1 per game he needs to qualify.

Perkins (4-4) allowed one run for the second straight start, scattering 10 hits in seven innings. Joe Nathan got the final out for his 21st save in 23 opportunities, and his 32nd in 35 chances against Kansas City.

Gil Meche (4-8), whose “dead arm” the previous two starts had created concern among the Royals, gave up three runs — two earned — six hits and five walks in six inning. He immediately showed regained velocity, striking out Justin Morneau in the first inning with a 98 mph fastball.

Kansas City’s Billy Butler was 4-for-4 with two singles and two doubles. He doubled home the Royals’ run in the sixth.

Michael Cuddyer homered leading off the second against Meche, who has surrendered six home runs in his last three starts after allowing only one his first 11.

With two on and two outs in the third, Joe Crede hit a routine grounder to second baseman Alberto Callaspo, who let it scoot under his glove for his ninth error as Mauer scored.

Mauer’s RBI single put the Twins on top 3-0 in the sixth. The Twins added two in the eighth after reliever Robinson Tejada had struck out the first two batters. Denard Span and Matt Tolbert singled, and Mauer was walked intentionally. John Bale relieved and forced in runs with bases-loaded walks to Brian Buscher and Cuddyer.

NOTES: SS Mike Aviles, the Royals’ player of the year in 2008, will have elbow ligament-replacement surgery next week and be lost for about a year. … C Miguel Olivo sat out after being suspended for one game by MLB for making contact with an umpire during an argument. … Finishing 15-12 in June, the Twins had their first winning month of the season. … The Royals have committed 59 errors, tied with Seattle for the league lead going into the Mariners’ game Wednesday night at the Yankees. … The Twins headed back to Minneapolis for a nine-game homestand against the Tigers, Yankees and White Sox.