Athletics Will Grigg celebrates scoring Aaro

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- It might be too late, but the Kansas City Royals are making a push to get back into postseason play.After a disastrous 7-19 July, the Royals were seven games below .500, at 51-58, after an Aug. 5 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.But after winning 4-1 Wednesday night at Detroit to sweep the Tigers they evened their record at 60-60. The Royals have won four straight, seven of eight and nine of 11. They have won their past four series.Were playing like champions, said Royals rookie second baseman Raul Mondesi, who hit his first career home run on Tuesday.The defending World Series champion Royals return home Thursday to open a four-game series against the last-place Minnesota Twins. If the Royals are to keep their playoffs hopes alive, they may need to sweep the Twins. Anything less than winning three of the four could prove fatal to their postseason aspirations.The offense looks to me like its definitely coming back around, Royals manager Ned Yost said. Thats what we were waiting on. We felt good all the way around with our starting pitching for the most part and the bullpen guys have done a phenomenal job without (Luke) Hoch(evar) and Wade (Davis). Theyve really picked up the slack down there. We feel good where were at right now.The offense did nothing in the first seven innings Wednesday. Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez did not allow a hit until Eric Hosmers two-out double in the seventh. Sanchez did not come out for the eighth and the Royals promptly went to work on the Detroit bullpen. Alex Gordon homered on the first pitch of the eighth, extending his hitting streak to a season-high eight games, while Eric Hosmer hit a two-run homer in a three-run ninth. That allowed the Royals to sweep a three-game series in Detroit for the first time since September 2008.While the Twins possess the worst record in the majors, the pitching matchup for the first game favors Minnesota, which will start Tyler Duffey. He beat the Royals 5-3 on Saturday, allowing two runs on six hits with one walk and six strikeouts. Duffey also beat the Royals on May 25 at Target Field.Duffey is 8-8 with a 5.71 ERA with 25 walks and 90 strikes in 108 2/3 innings.I know Kansas City has been hard on us and they have a real good home record, Twins manager Paul Molitor said. Hopefully we can turn it around, starting with Duff on the mound (Thursday).Right-hander Dillon Gee, who was the losing pitcher Saturday at Minnesota, will be making his 10th start and 25th appearance. After holding the Twins to two runs in the first five innings, he gave up a single and back-to-back home runs in the sixth, pulled with the Royals trailing by four runs.Gee is 2-6 with a 6.35 ERA in nine starts. He has not won as a starter since May 31.The Twins swept a two-game series at Atlanta and improved to 9-7 in August. Brian Dozier went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI, hiking his RBI total to 72, while Trevor Plouffe went 3-for-5 with three RBI in the Twins 10-3 victory Wednesday over the Braves. Kyle Gibson pitched a complete game to pick up the victory.The Twins played without first baseman Joe Mauer and third baseman Miguel Sano in routing the Braves.Mauer sat out with sore quads, while Sano has a sore elbow.We want to give him a chance to rest and be ready for the Royals, Twins manager Paul Molitor said of Mauer. He doesnt want to sit, but sometimes that extra day helps him.Mauer is hitting .435 with a .516 on-base percentage and a .709 slugging percentage in August with two home runs, seven doubles and 11 RBI in 14 games.Sano made some throws from third base during infield practice and could be close to returning. The Twins could use Sano as the designated hitter in Kansas City, which was not an option at Atlanta under National League rules.He is doing better, but I dont get the feeling he is feeling 100 percent yet, Molitor said.Grant Dayton Jersey . He was followed closely by David Clarkson, donning red, seconds later. Clarksons actions one night earlier, leaping off the bench in defence of Kessel during a pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres, will cost him the first 10 games of the regular season. Alex Jackson Braves Jersey . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. https://www.cheapbraves.com/ . LUCIE, Fla. Chris Martin Braves Jersey . Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. Billy Hamilton Braves Jersey . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec.The top three contenders in each division for the PFA Fans Player of the Month for March have been revealed - so vote now and have your say.Youve been voting from the shortlists drawn up by the PFAs expert panel and Sky Sports can now announce the three leading candidates for the Premier League, Sky Bet Championship, Sky Bet League One and Sky Bet League Two awards for March. Vote now! Pick your PFA Fans Player of the Month now! Voting will remain open until midnight on Thursday, March 31 so you can now help decide who you think deserves the honours for their performances during March. The winners of each award will be announced on Friday, April 1.Remember, one voting fan - who is a resident in the UK or Ireland - in each division will win the chance (subject to terms and conditions) to meet and present the award to the PFA Fans Player of the Month.And thats not all. One of the winners will join the PFAs expert panel - which includes Sky Sports football pundits Paul Merson, Ian Holloway and Peter Beagrie - to help draw up Februarys shortlists.Here are the top three players in the running for Marchs awards. Who gets your vote?Premier League Adam Lallanas influence at Liverpool has improved drastically this month Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)Timm Klose (Norwich City)Adam Lallana (Liverpool)Championship Micro Antenucci has played a key role in Leeds March revival under Steve Evans Mirco Antenucci (Leeds United)Fernando Forestieri (Sheffield Wednesday)Lee Tomlin (Bristol City)League One Wigan Athletics Will Grigg celebrates scoring Aaron Amadi-Holloway (Oldham)Will Grigg (Wigan Athletic)Sullay Kaikai (Shrewsbury Town)League Two John-Joe OToole has been instrumental to Northampton opening up a 13-point gap at the top of League Two Lewis Hawkins (Hartlepool)John-Joe OToole (Northampton)Ollie Watkins (Exeter)Have your say NOW - vote at www.ddddddddddddskysports.com/pfafanvoteTo be eligible for the prize, voters must be 18 or over and be a resident of UK or ROI. Travel costs are not included as part of the prize. Click or tap here to read the full terms and conditions. Vote now! Pick your PFA Fans Player of the Month now!Also See:Premier League - Vote now!Championship - Vote now!League One - Vote now!League Two - Vote now! ' ' '