The Minnesota Twins topped the Kansas City Royals 3-1 Thursday in a game that took just under two-and-a-half hours at Target Field. The Twins improve to 35-40 with the win.

Twins starter Samuel Deduno outdueled Royals hurler Jeremy Guthrie to earn the win. Deduno pitched seven innings and allowed just one run on five hits. The righty struck out three and walked only one batter.

Guthrie pitched well himself, pitching into the seventh inning while allowing two earned runs on six hits to earn a quality start, albeit in a loss.

Justin Morneau paced the Minnesota offense with two hits, including an RBI double that gave the Twins a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. Oswaldo Arcia had the game winning RBI single later in the fourth.

The Twins and Royals will play the second game of a four game set with Kansas City Friday at 7:10.

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