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Twins threaten but fall in series finale to Royals

It would have been fitting had the Twins capped Sunday’s game with yet another walk-off win, which would have been their fourth in five games this homestand.

Alas, it wasn’t to be. Maikel Garcia’s single off Jhoan Duran in the top of the 10th brought home Nick Loftin, lifting the Royals to a 2-1 win in the series finale at Target Field.

Even still, the Twins had their chance. With automatic runner Carlos Correa dancing off of third base and Harrison Bader stealing second to get himself into scoring position, as well, Brooks Lee, Saturday’s walk-off hero, grounded out to Royals star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. to end the game.

Part of the reason the Twins, who finished the game with just three hits, were still in it was some strong late-game defense in the ninth inning that kept the game tied.

Catcher Ryan Jeffers, who picked a runner off of first base in the fourth inning, made a strong throw to second with one out to catch pinch runner Dairon Blanco attempting to steal.

Immediately after that, Trevor Larnach, who entered the game late as a pinch hitter, laid out in right field, making what was likely one of the best catches of his career to help reliever Cole Sands preserve the tie.

The Twins had been off and running in the first inning with Jeffers smacking a double off Kris Bubic to lead off the bottom of the first and Ty France bringing him in with a single.

That was the last hit the Twins would manage until the eighth inning, after Bubic had departed.

The Royals’ starter, once a first-round draft pick, has been a revelation this season, among the best in the game after spending last season in the bullpen as he worked his way back from Tommy John surgery.

And the Twins had no answers for him.

The left-hander stymied the Twins, who struck out nine times in Bubic’s seven innings and managed just two hits. With the seven-inning outing, Bubic lowered his earned-run average to 1.45.

That one-run lead held until the seventh, when Bailey Ober surrendered a leadoff double to Drew Waters. He touched home plate on Freddy Fermin’s double, which spelled the end of Ober’s day after 6 2/3 innings.