Minnesota's Michael Cuddyer connects on an RBI single. The Twins beat the Royals, 4-3 in 12 innings, Tuesday in Kansas City, Mo.

Kansas City, Mo. ? Michael Cuddyer singled home Joe Mauer in the 12th inning, giving the Minnesota Twins a 4-3 victory Tuesday night and sending the Kansas City Royals to their ninth straight defeat.

Jesse Crain (2-2) picked up the victory, and Matt Guerrier worked the 12th to earn his first save and third of his career.

The Royals had tied it at 3 in the ninth on Mark Teahen’s three-run, inside-the-park homer off Joe Nathan, who blew his first save in 14 opportunities.

Teahen hit the first pitch from Nathan past a diving Delmon Young in left field and it rolled to the wall. Teahen beat the relay throw home for the Royals’ first inside-the-park homer since Aug. 20, 2006.

Kansas City, outscored 53-19 in the nine losses, has had only six longer losing streaks.