Gardy gives Kubel break against lefty Vargas

KANSAS CITY -- Jason Kubel was out of the Twins' lineup on Friday, but only because manager Ron Gardenhire wanted to give him some rest with Royals left-hander Jason Vargas on the mound.

"Big doubleheader [on Thursday]," Gardenhire said. "He's just a little worn out. He said his feet were frozen. I think they are OK today. That's the biggest statement we've gotten out of Kubel in four years."

Kubel entered the weekend series with a .340 batting average, which ranked seventh-best in the American League. He entered as a pinch-hitter for Pedro Florimon in the seventh inning of the Twins' 5-0 loss to the Royals and fouled out to left, as Alex Gordon crashed into the side wall to make the catch.