Royals lose 4-3 to Twins in 10 innings

Greg Holland walked in a run in the eighth and yielded Trevor Plouffe's tying homer in the ninth. The Royals went on to a 4-3 to the Minnesota Twins in 10 innings on Thursday night.

"You don't want to lose a game like that," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "They bounced back and they beat our best."

Alexi Casilla started the winning rally with a leadoff double in the 10th against Francisley Bueno (1-1) that fell just beyond the glove of diving center fielder Lorenzo Cain, who injured his leg on the play and had to leave the game. Span then hit a double over the head of right fielder Eric Hosmer for the win.

The Royals dropped to 54-3 when leading after eight.

"This was one of those games," said Luis Mendoza, who started for Kansas City and allowed one run and two hits in six innings. "They've been great all year. Tomorrow is another day."

Holland replaced Kelvin Herrera with the bases loaded and two out in the eighth. He walked Josh Willingham to make it 3-2.

Plouffe then hit a leadoff drive in the ninth for his 21st homer, handing Holland his first blown save opportunity since the All-Star break.

Kansas City took a 3-1 lead on a two-run single by Salvador Perez in the first inning and Billy Butler's run-scoring double in the fifth. Both hits came with two outs.

The Royals had some other chances, but couldn't capitalize.

"We could have done more to get a more comfortable lead," Royals slugger Alex Gordon said.

Gordon doubled with one out in the 10th. Butler ran the count to 2-1, and felt Glen Perkins' next pitch was too high. Plate umpire Mike Estabrook called it a strike, and when Butler began arguing the call, he was ejected.