KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alex Gordon hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning, giving Kansas City a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Twins and helping the Royals avoid their first three-game skid since mid-July.

The Royals had been shut down all night by the Twins’ Ricky Nolasco, who scattered three hits over seven innings. But after going quietly in the eighth, the AL Central leaders managed to break through against closer Glen Perkins (3-1) in the ninth.

Alcides Escobar led off the inning with a blooper to shallow right for a single, and Gordon followed by swatting the second pitch he saw over the right-field wall for his 10th homer of the season.

Wade Davis (7-2) earned the win with a perfect ninth inning in relief.