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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — \u2014 Maikel Garcia<\/a> hit a two-run homer and Michael Wacha<\/a> pitched 5 2\/3 strong innings as the Kansas City Royals<\/a> beat the Minnesota Twins<\/a> 2-1 on Friday night.<\/p>\n Garcia hit Pablo L\u00f3pez\u2019s first pitch high above the left-field bullpen after Vinnie Pasquantino<\/a> singled with two out in the third inning for a 2-0 lead. Pasquantino and Garcia each had a pair of hits.<\/p>\n Brooks Lee<\/a> and Jhonny Pereda<\/a> hit consecutive doubles in the fifth inning for the Twins’ run. Pereda made his Twins debut behind the plate.<\/p>\n The Twins have lost five straight and have baseball\u2019s worst record since the July 31 trade deadline at 11-22.<\/p>\n Wacha (9-11) allowed a run on four hits and two walks, striking out five. He has allowed fewer than three runs in nine of his 10 career starts against the Twins.<\/p>\n Carlos Est\u00e9vez earned his major league-best 38th save with help from a sliding catch by center fielder Kyle Isbel<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bobby Witt Jr<\/a>. left the game<\/a> after six innings due to low back spasms.<\/p>\n L\u00f3pez (5-4) returned from injury for his first start in three months, allowing two runs on six hits in six innings, striking out four. L\u00f3pez was placed on the 15-day Injured List on June 4 with a right shoulder strain.<\/p>\n Initially called out on a force at second, Garcia was ruled safe when the Royals challenged that shortstop Lee had dropped the ball before touching second.<\/p>\n Through the first seven games of their current homestand, the Royals are 2 for 26 with runners in scoring position while scoring 10 of 14 runs via home runs.<\/p>\n Twins RHP Joe Ryan<\/a> (13-7, 3.08 ERA) opposes Royals RHP Stephen Kolek<\/a> (4-5, 3.99) on Saturday.<\/p>\n ——<\/p>\n