KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The late-game hurdles kept materializing in front of Kyle Gibson, reminiscent of a video game.
The Twins right-hander pushed each of them aside with stunning ease Thursday night en route to a 2-0 win over the first-place Kansas City Royals.
Making his fourth start of the season against the Royals, Gibson worked eight shutout innings on just four hits and four walks. With his pitch count climbing and the tying run in scoring position, Twins manager Paul Molitor trusted Gibson enough to face the heart of the Royals' order in the eighth.
Gibson (6-6) struck out Lorenzo Cain on a 93-mph fastball and got cleanup hitter Eric Hosmer to ground to second on his 114th and final pitch of the night.