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**France’s Walk-Off Homer Sends Twins Past Royals in Thrilling Series Opener**

MINNEAPOLIS – Ty France blasted a two-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning Friday night, lifting the Minnesota Twins to a 3-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals in the opening game of their series. The dramatic blast, a first-pitch slider crushed off Royals reliever Lucas Erceg, marked France’s first-ever home run at Target Field, electrifying the crowd and extending the Twins’ recent hot streak to 15 wins in their last 17 games.

“It was unbelievable,” said Twins pitcher Pablo López, who delivered a strong 5 2/3 innings, allowing only one run despite seven hits. “We don’t get paid extra to play extra innings, so I’m glad he took it upon himself to take care of that in the ninth inning.”

The game was a pitchers’ duel for much of the night, with López matching up against Kansas City rookie Noah Cameron. The Royals took an early lead in the first inning off López, but Carlos Correa, returning from a concussion injured list, answered in the second with a solo home run, tying the game. Both pitchers settled in, keeping the score tied until the ninth.

The Twins bullpen held the Royals scoreless after López exited, setting the stage for France’s heroics. Correa reached base on an infield single to lead off the ninth before France stepped to the plate. He knew immediately his drive was gone, watching the ball sail over the left-center field fence.

“Erceg is such a tough pitcher to get the ball in the air against,” Correa said. “For Ty to put that good of a swing on that first-pitch slider, it was very impressive.”

The victory was especially sweet for the Twins, who had struggled against the Royals earlier in the season, dropping seven of their previous eight games. López said the Twins are now playing as if every game is a do-or-die situation.

The announced attendance at Target Field was 22,391, with fans celebrating Star Wars night and a Correa bobblehead giveaway.

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