Billy Butler had started 89 consecutive games for the Royals, but that all ended on Thursday night at Target Field in Minnesota.

Butler hasn’t been swinging the bat well, hitting just .176 over the past nine games. In that same span he has only one extra-base hit and three runs batted in.

Currently his batting average sits at .323, but it was at .348 prior to this slide.

The timing for Butler’s night off was good when you look at his batting average against Twins pitchers. Against the Minnesota pitching staff Butler has a measly .080 batting average. This is the reason Wilson Betemit got the call from manager Ned Yost, and it worked out nicely, as Betemit blasted two home runs in the field many claim isn’t very hitter-friendly.

As the Royals prepare for matchups against Cincinnati and Houston, look for Betemit and Willie Bloomquist to get some spot at-bats or extra playing time as the Royals begin the chess match that is the National League brand of ball.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com