Radke Is Injured in Twins’ Victory

As soon as David Ortiz comes off Minnesota’s disabled list, Brad Radke pulls up lame.

The Minnesota Twins survived the injury to their starting pitcher Monday night, beating Kansas City, 3-2, when Ortiz doubled home the tiebreaking run in the eighth in his first game back.

The American League Central-leading Twins seem to be having more than their share of injuries. They’ve had six players go on the disabled list.

“Our team’s cursed with injuries,” said Radke, who pulled his right groin while throwing a changeup in the second inning.

“We can just try to overcome it. There’s nothing you can say about injuries.”

Radke did not come out for the third inning after throwing 19 pitches and giving up only a bunt single.

“Hopefully, he’ll just miss one start,” Manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Ortiz, who sat out 18 games following surgery to remove a bone chip in his left knee, was one for four. After Jason Grimsley (1-2) walked Doug Mientkiewicz in the eighth, the Twins’ cleanup hitter doubled off the wall in right-center field for what proved to be the winning run.

“The knee didn’t bother me at all,” Ortiz said. “It feels fine. When I went on the DL and had to stay home and just watch the games on TV, it was really frustrating. But it just made me work harder to get back.”

J.C. Romero (3-0) pitched 22/3 innings of one-hit relief for the victory that put the Twins ahead of the Royals in the all-time series, 241-240.

Eddie Guardado worked a perfect ninth for his league-leading 13th save in 13 opportunities.

The loss dropped the Royals to 0-7 in one-run games.

“I knew that stat going into the game. About the sixth inning, I told someone we’re 0-6 so it’s about time we won a one-run game,” Royal interim Manager John Mizerock said.

“It didn’t happen. This early in the year, I’d say it’s a coincidence.”

The Royals were trying for their first four-game winning streak since Aug. 9-12.