KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Billy Burns' sacrifice fly scored Raul Mondesi in the 11th inning as the Kansas City Royals defeated the Minnesota Twins 4-3 Tuesday night, staving off postseason elimination.

Minnesota Twins v Kansas City Royals
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The defending World Series champions are five games behind Baltimore for the second AL wild card with five to play. The Orioles lost 5-1 at Toronto on Tuesday night.

Mondesi drew a walk to lead off the inning, stole second and moved to third on Jarrod Dyson's sacrifice bunt. Whit Merrifield and Eric Hosmer were walked intentionally to load the bases before Burns hit a fly ball to center field that was deep enough to get Mondesi home.

Rookie Brooks Pounders (2-1), the eighth Royals pitcher, picked up the victory, getting the final two outs of the 11th inning.

The one positive for the Twins, Eduardo Escobar blasted a 448 foot homer in the second inning.  It ended a streak of 111 at-bats without a homerun.

Left-hander Tommy Milone (3-5) was charged with the loss.

Game two tonight in Kansas City with Ervin Santana making his last start of the season.  Pre-game coverage beginning at 5:30, first pitch at 6:10 on 1340 KROC.

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