Kansas City's Alex Gordon reacts after striking out in the second inning. The Royals fell, 4-1, to the Twins on Friday in Kansas City, Mo.

Kansas City, Mo. ? Minnesota’s Kevin Slowey didn’t walk a batter, as usual. The Twins, meanwhile, made the base on balls a major part of their attack.

Slowey limited Kansas City to one run and seven hits in six innings, Joe Mauer drove in two runs, and the Twins took advantage of a season-high eight walks to beat the Royals, 4-1, on Friday night.

Slowey struck out two in 52â3 innings and did not issue a walk for the 16th time in 29 career starts. He is averaging 1.3 walks per nine innings this season.

“I don’t think I have the stuff to get away with walking a lot of guys,” Slowey said. “That’s the way it’s been my whole life. In the minor leagues, that’s what the Twins preach. They say we have some great defenders behind you, make them work, we’re going to make some great plays behind you, make guys earn their way on base. That’s what I tried to do.”

Slowey has not allowed a first-inning run in 18 starts, which broke a club record of 17 set by Camilo Pascual in 1973 and is the longest streak since Mike Sirotka in his first 21 starts with the 1999 Chicago White Sox.

Joe Nathan worked the ninth for his 31st save in 33 opportunities, but not before the Royals loaded the bases on two hits and a hit batsman. David DeJesus, who leads the majors with a .437 average with runners in scoring position, grounded out to end the game.

The Twins top the majors with a .315 average with runners in scoring position, but went 2-for-10 with men in scoring position and stranded 10 runners.

DeJesus, who returned to the lineup after missing the previous five games due to tightness in his back, singled home Mike Aviles in the sixth for the only Kansas City run.

“We couldn’t get the big hit,” Royals manager Trey Hillman said. “We left too many men on base. (Kansas City starter Kyle) Davies has a fairly quick 15-pitch first inning, three up, three down, and then just couldn’t locate.”

Davies (5-3), who had won his previous two starts, lasted just 21â3 innings, allowing three runs on five walks and three singles. After a 1-2-3 first inning, eight of the next 12 Twins reached base before he was replaced by Joel Peralta with one out in the third.