With 10 strikeouts, Sonny Gray equals his season high.

On Tuesday night, the Minnesota Twins defeated the Kansas City Royals 9-0.

Gilberto Celestino blasted a home run, while Luis Arez added three more hits to maintain the top batting average in the MLB.

In the second inning, Gray (7-3) struck out the side, all on calls of third strikes.

On May 24, he matched Detroit's 10 strikes, swinging MJ Melendez and Nikki Lopez in the sixth.

After being referred to as Salvador Perez by manager Rocco Baldelli, Gray left a standing ovation.

and following Vinnie Pasquantino's hit, pulled in the eighth position. Gray had pitched six innings and had given up one hit.

Gray has only allowed five runs in his last five appearances, including Tuesday's performance in which no runs were scored.

Gray stated, "I feel fine holding the baseball.

"I intend to approach the mound with the goal of winning the game in mind.

With two ons and no outs for Gray, Caleb Thielbar took the lead, increased the margin to 3-0, and kept the shutout.