The Twins beat the Royals 5-1 in Kansas City Wednesday afternoon.  Joe Mauer led the Twins at the plate going 3-3 with a run scored and 1 RBI, Michael Cuddyer went 1-3 with a run scored and 2 RBIs and Denard Span was 2-5 with a run scored for Minnesota.  Glen Perkins threw 7 innings with 10 hits and 1 earned runs allowed to get the win and improve to 4-4.  Joe Nathan recorded the final out to get his 21st save.  Minnesota is 41-39 and is now just 3 games back of Detroit for first place in the American League Central.  The Twins are off today and will host Detroit starting a 3-game series Friday night at 7:10, pregame on WJON at 6:40.  Catcher Mike Redmond (forearm), first baseman Justin Morneau (groin), and shortstop Nick Punto (back) left the game early.  Redmond had xrays on the forearm and they were negative, Morneau thought he'd be back in the lineup Friday and Punto will have his back re-examined today.