MINNEAPOLIS -- The Kansas City Royals are hoping to make another push for a playoff spot, and their latest successful series at Target Field is definitely going to help. Bruce Chen bounced back with a solid start and the Royals earned their fifth consecutive win with a 3-1 victory over Minnesota, sending the slumping Twins to their fifth straight loss. "This was a nice series for us," Kansas City manager Ned Yost said. "We did everything really well, we pitched well, swung the bats well, played solid defence." The Royals outscored Minnesota 17-3 in the three-game set to finish the season series with a 15-4 record against their AL Central rival. Kansas City has won seven straight at Target Field. "Theyve probably had our number in the past, so its tough to say anything bad about them," said second baseman Chris Getz, who had one of Kansas Citys three RBI singles. Coupled with Oaklands 7-6 loss in Detroit, the Royals are six games back of the As for the ALs second wild-card slot. "I couldnt even tell you whos ahead of us," Yost said. "My focus is if we win everything else takes care of itself." Getting Chen back on track certainly helps. Chen (6-2), who is good at deception and changing speeds, gave up one run and five hits in 5 2-3 innings. In his past two starts, he allowed 13 runs in nine innings. Before those two, he had allowed just three earned runs in 38 2-3 innings over six starts. "I went back and tried to be more aggressive," Chen said. "I wanted to make sure I pound the strike zone." Kelvin Herrera and Will Smith combined for 2 1-3 innings of scoreless relief. Greg Holland pitched a scoreless ninth for his 36th save in 38 chances. "It was a total team effort," Chen said. "We won collectively." The Twins hit just 15 for 91 (.165) in the series. Brian Dozier homered for Minnesota, which has totalled just six runs during its skid. Minnesota is one game ahead of last-place Chicago in the division. "Its a tough time of the year," said bench coach Terry Steinbach, who filled in when manager Ron Gardenhire was ejected in the second inning. "They dont call it the Dog Days of August for nothing, and whether youre in first place or last place or somewhere in the middle, as players and as organizations and teams youve got to figure out a way to get through this stuff." Justin Maxwell was hit by a pitch -- the ninth batter plunked this season by Twins starter Samuel Deduno -- and both benches were warned by plate umpire Alan Porter. Gardenhire came out to protest and was tossed for the fourth time this year. Maxwell was hit by a pitch in Wednesday night. Salvador Perez homered twice in that game for the Royals and had a fastball come in high and tight. "I dont think they were trying to hit me on purpose," Maxwell said. "Im just glad it helped lead to a big inning." Getz, Alcides Escobar and Alex Gordon singled home runs in the second. Deduno (8-8) allowed three runs in three innings before leaving because of soreness in his right shoulder. An MRI is scheduled for Friday. He said he felt a little pain when trying to throw his fastball hard. "I wanted to be aggressive. Thats when I felt it," he said. "I wanted to keep pitching, but they told me they want to see whats wrong with my shoulder." Deduno had been bothered by biceps tendinitis in his throwing arm earlier this month but told the team he was feeling fine. Dozier homered in the sixth to make it 3-1. His 14th homer tied him with Tim Teufel (1984) for most homers in a season by a Minnesota second baseman. Already playing short-handed because outfielder Oswaldo Arcia was unavailable with a sore wrist, Minnesota lost right fielder Wilkin Ramirez in the fifth inning after he fouled a ball off his left shin. He was scheduled for an MRI later Thursday. NOTES: Minnesota C Joe Mauer, out since Aug. 20 with a concussion, said before the game he is "feeling better," but is not close to returning. "Its not any fun watching, so hopefully I can get back there soon," he said. ... Perez, who was 11 for 22 with four homers and 13 RBIs in his previous five games, did not start. He singled as a pinch hitter in the ninth. ... Ervin Santana (8-7, 3.21 ERA) starts for Kansas City on Friday when the Royals open a three-game series in Toronto. Mark Buehrle (10-7, 4.08 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Blue Jays. ... Minnesota opens a weekend series at Texas on Friday with Liam Hendriks (0-2, 6.20 ERA) scheduled to face the Rangers Yu Darvish (12-5, 2.68 ERA). Andrew Billings Jersey . Winning more at home probably should be on the list. The Flames look to avoid a fifth defeat in six home games by winning a sixth straight meeting with the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night. Preston Brown Bengals Jersey . 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The Brewers finalized a US$36 million, three-year contract with free agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez on Wednesday, adding a much-needed bat to their lineup.ELCHE, Spain - Elches lack of a finishing touch condemned it to a 1-1 draw at home with Levante on Friday, as the hosts struggle to secure a second season in Spains first division. Striker Yiadom Boakye managed to beat Levante goalkeeper Keylor Navas with a deflected shot in the 63rd, but Angel Rodriguez equalized in the 74th by converting his own rebound. Elche wasted several chances down the stretchh, with forward Garry Rodriguez being particularly unfortunate in not finding the goal.dddddddddddd Elche inched four points above the relegation zone before the rest of the 35th round of games are played. The game at Martinez Valero Stadium began after a minute of silence in honour of former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova, who died on Friday at the age of 45 after a battle with cancer. 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