If the Royals are going to remain in the American League Central race all year -- and they are in first place after a victory Sunday over the Twins -- they are going to need a healthy Joakim Soria to close games and Gil Meche to start every fifth day.
Soria, who had not pitched since an April 22 save in Cleveland after coming down with a sore shoulder, returned to the mound Saturday and Sunday in Minnesota. Soria picked up the victory Saturday, going 1 2/3 innings as the Royals won 10-7 in 11 innings. He threw 19 pitches and in the 10th stranded an inherited runner at third with one out.
Soria was back on the mound Sunday, throwing another 19 pitches, 13 for strikes, to pick up a save, although he allowed an unearned run. Soria, who saved 42 games in 2008 and was an All-Star selection, is six-for-six in save opportunities.
Meche was pulled from an April 28 loss to the Blue Jays after 3 2/3 innings with soreness in his lower back. He did not miss a start, however, and showed no ill effects from the back Sunday in a 7-5 victory over the Twins.
Meche threw 116 pitches, 68 for strikes, in six innings to pick up the victory, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks, while striking out three.
"The biggest thing is his back didn't bother him," Royals manager Trey Hillman said. "That was huge for us."
ROYALS 7, TWINS 5: The Royals did not get a hit the first six innings off Twins starter Scott Baker, but Willie Bloomquist broke up the no-hitter by leading off the seventh with a single. The opened the floodgates for a five-run inning as the first six batters reached base. Jose Guillen hit a three-run homer in the seventh and doubled home another run in the eighth. Alberto Callaspo contributed a two-run double in the seventh.
