Minneapolis, MN (My Sportsbook) - Gil Meche was solid on the hill and Ryan Shealy drove in a pair of runs, as the Royals slipped a cog into the Twins' AL Central title hopes with a 4-2 victory.

Despite the loss, Minnesota still holds a one-half game lead over Chicago for the top spot in the division, as the White Sox fell 12-6 Saturday night against the Indians.

"All we can do is come back and try to get a victory tomorrow," said Minnesota's Nick Punto. "We're playing a very good team."

Meche (14-11) gave up two runs -- one earned -- on seven hits over six-plus innings with seven strikeouts and three walks. Joakim Soria tossed a scoreless ninth for his 42nd save of the year.

Mike Aviles drove in a run and scored for the Royals, who have won five in a row.

"All we had to play for was the role of spoiler," Shealy said. "We won the first two, so that's good."

Minnesota starter Glen Perkins lasted five innings and was tagged for a run on four hits with four strikeouts in the no-decision. Matt Guerrier (6-9) absorbed the loss after yielding two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Joe Mauer drove in a run for the Twins, who have dropped two straight following a four-game winning streak.

Kansas City took the lead in the seventh inning. Aviles and Alberto Callaspo led off the stanza with back-to-back singles before Jesse Crain replaced Guerrier on the hill. Jose Guillen then struck out, but a wild pitch advanced both runners into scoring position. Shealy then stroked a two-run single to give the visitors a 4-2 lead.

Soria was on the hill for Kansas City in the ninth and walked Denard Span and Alexi Casilla. Mauer, though, grounded into a double play and Justin Morneau flied out to left to end the game.

"We left a lot of guys on base, we just didn't get 'em in," Morneau said. "We just didn't get it done today, that was it."

Minnesota took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Jason Kubel led off with a double, moved to third on a groundout and crossed home as Brendan Harris followed with a two-bagger.

The Twins tacked on another run the following inning. Span led off by reaching on a fielding blunder by Shealy and swiped second base. Casilla's bunt single advanced the runner to third and Mauer's sacrifice fly brought Span home for a 2-0 Minnesota edge.

The Royals got a run back in the fifth inning. Billy Butler led off with a single to right field before Alex Gordon flied out to left. John Buck's double then made it second and third, and Mitch Maier was plunked to load the bases. Aviles offered a sacrifice fly to center, allowing Butler to cross home, and Kansas City moved within 2-1.

Boof Bonser came in to pitch the sixth for the Twins. Guillen and Shealy opened the stanza with consecutive singles, and Mark Teahen's single plated Guillen to knot the game at two.

Game Notes

The Royals have won 13 of their last 15 contests...Meche has won four of his last five starts...The Twins are 11-6 versus the Royals so far this year and have taken just four of the eight meetings between the teams at home...The Royals collected 10-plus hits (12) for the fifth straight game and for the 13th time in their last 16 games.