MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Miguel Sano’s hustle led Minnesota to a pair of early runs and his RBI double tied the game in the decisive seventh inning, helping the Twins dodge a series sweep by beating the Kansas City Royals 6-5 on Wednesday night.

Brian Dozier didn’t hit a home run for Minnesota, ending his club-tying record at five straight games, but he singled and stole second before scoring on Sano’s double off Joakim Soria (4-8). Dozier also started a dazzling double play to finish the fifth inning, with a diving stop of Eric Hosmer’s grounder and a glove flick to second base to get the ball out while he was flat on the dirt.

Alex Wimmers (1-0) pitched a scoreless seventh in relief of Kyle Gibson to record his first major league victory. Brandon Kintzler gave up Jarrod Dyson’s two-out RBI single before finishing the ninth inning for his 14th save in 16 attempts.

ROYALS-PEREZ

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez has only a bruise on his right wrist after getting hit by a pitch.

X-rays on Perez’s throwing hand showed no broken bone, but Perez was held out of the starting lineup at Minnesota on Wednesday, a night after getting plunked by Twins pitcher Ervin Santana. Manager Ned Yost told reporters he hopes to put the All-Star back behind the plate for the next game Friday at Chicago.

Drew Butera was catching for the series finale against the Twins.

Perez has 20 home runs and 59 RBIs in 121 games for the defending champion Royals, who started Wednesday four games out of the second AL wild card spot.