*Photo from Royals Review*
Ever since Rocco Baldelli took over, the Minnesota Twins have been known for their prowess in hitting home runs. With the deadened baseball this year, their homers have tapered off, but they came back again on Saturday. Ryan Jeffers homered, Miguel Sano and Kyle Garlick homered, and the Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 5-4 Saturday afternoon.
Baldelli said of the 3 homer game that "This is who we are. We do have a group that can drive the ball. I think we should be pretty pleased with the way we’ve continued to battle on and not really give in on anything, and I think that showed today."
The Twins also got a little help at the end of the game, when a baserunning play by the Royals led to a line drive out that turned into a game ending double play, with Kansas City's Jarrod Dyson being caught off 3rd, due to him running on contact, because the ball was hit right to Andrelton Simmons's glove.
Baldelli said of the defensive work that "Our guys have good instincts and can make those decisions out there on the field and we saw some of that today. It’s something where you have to trust yourself as a player, not overthink things and just play the game, and I think our guys are doing that right now."
Royals outfielder Michael A Taylor, who was the hitter who hit the line drive out, said "It’s a little frustrating. For me, I try not to turn a positive thing into a negative. Obviously I want that ball to go through and it changes the game, but I can’t control the ball after it leaves my bat. I’ll take the hard contact and hopefully find a hole next time."
Jeffers started the scoring in the second inning, hitting a two run homer to left field that scored Alex Kirilloff and gave Minnesota a 2-0 lead. After Kansas City tied the game, Garlick gave the Twins a 3-2 lead on a solo homer to left. In the 6th, trailing 4-3, Sano launched a two run homer to left field, bringing Nelson Cruz home and giving the Twins a 5-4 lead that they held on to.
For Kansas City, Whit Merrifield tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the second inning, with a two run single to center field that scored Jorge Soler and Taylor. In the 5th inning, trailing 3-2, Andrew Benintendi hit a two run homer to center field, giving the Royals a 4-3 lead, that they gave up in the 6th inning.
Jose Berrios got the win for Minnesota, allowing all 4 runs on 6 hits and two walks, striking out 4 hitters in 6 hard worked innings pitched. Tyler Duffey came on and threw a scoreless 7th, followed by a shutout 8th from Taylor Rogers, and Hansel Robles got his 5th save of the season with a shutdown 9th inning.
It was Mike Minor who got the loss for Kansas City, allowing all 5 runs on 7 hits and one walk, while striking out 5 hitters in 7 innings pitched, dropping his record to 4-3 this season. Greg Holland and Jake Brentz each threw shutout innings of relief, each striking out one hitter.
Minnesota and Kansas City finish their series on Sunday afternoon, with Bailey Ober getting the start for the Twins, and Brady Singer starting for Kansas City.
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