KANSAS CITY -- After Byung Ho Park's first Major League homer gave Minnesota a one-run lead in the top of the eighth, the Twins had the Royals right where they wanted them with six outs to go.
Right-hander Kevin Jepsen, the Twins' best reliever in the second half of last season after being acquired in a trade with the Rays, came in, and manager Paul Molitor opted to go with an all-defensive outfield, replacing Miguel Sano in left field with Eddie Rosario, with Danny Santana in right.
But it unraveled in a hurry in the Twins' 4-3 loss, as Jepsen gave up a leadoff single to Alex Gordon before Salvador Perez tripled to left past a diving Rosario, who couldn't quite make the play.