MINNEAPOLIS – Scott Baker came within three outs of a perfect game and two outs of a no-hitter, falling short of history but leading the Minnesota Twins over the Kansas City Royals 5-0 in the second game of a doubleheader Friday night.

Baker entered the ninth inning with a chance for just the 18th perfect game in major league history. But with a Metrodome crowd of 24,986 cheering, he went to a 3-0 count leading off on John Buck.

Buck took a strike before the next pitch went inside for ball four.

Esteban German grounded into a forceout and Mike Sweeney, activated from the disabled list between games, pinch hit and blooped a single to left-center for Kansas City’s only hit. Baker sensed immediately that the ball would fall in for a hit.

The 25-year-old right-hander recovered to get the one-hitter, retiring David DeJesus on a flyout and Mark Grudzielanek on a lineout.

Baker (8-6) struck out a career-high nine and threw 111 pitches in just his second complete game in 44 major league starts.

Gil Meche (7-12) allowed just three runs and seven hits in seven innings, giving up a two-run single to Jason Bartlett in the third and a sacrifice fly to Justin Morneau in the fifth.

AP-ES-08-31-07 2240EDT