The Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins kept circling the bases at a dizzying rate, until finally the barrage ended with numbers that resembled a slow-pitch softball game.
When Steve Pearce went down with an injury, Orioles utility infielder Jimmy Paredes knew it was an opportunity to make his mark on a first-place team.
And the 25-year journeyman, who made his first start for Baltimore against the Twins, came through on Saturday night.
Alcides Escobar hit a two-run triple and Yordano Ventura pitched seven effective innings as the Kansas City Royals defeated the Minnesota Twins 6-3 Thursday.
A big hit from Sam Fuld and a quick recovery by Glen Perkins gave the Minnesota Twins a win that temporarily helped them forget about a season that's slipping away.
An impressive start from Hector Noesi was just a couple of pitches away from being something really special.
Noesi allowed three hits over 7 2/3 innings, and Adam Eaton had three hits and two RBIs to lead the Chicago White Sox to a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night.
Garrett Richards pitched four-hit ball into the eighth inning to win his fourth straight decision, Kole Calhoun had a two-run double and the Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 6-2 Wednesday night for their fifth straight win.
Brock Holt scored both Boston runs, and Jon Lester weathered a shaky start and pitched six-plus strong innings as the Red Sox held off the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Tuesday night.