Final Score KCR 6 | MIN 7

Overall Record 35-23  (2ND in the AL Central)

Winning/Losing Pitcher 

• W: Caleb Thielbar (2-1, 4.97 ERA)
• L: Chris Stratton (2-3, 6.00 ERA)
• SV: Jhoan Duran (9)

Royals Player of the Game

Vinnie Pasquantino: 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI

There was a lot of offensive production for the Royals in this game, but it was hard not to give it to Vinnie P after he left the game the other day with a lower leg injury. Pasquantino started the party early with a two-run home run in the top of the first. Pasquantino followed that later with another single. Bobby Witt, Jr. also had a great game, going 2-for-5 with a 2B and three RBI, and could easily have taken this award.

Key Highlights 

This may have been one of the most frustrating losses for the Royals. Especially since they came close to returning in this one like they have in all their losses in this series. The Royals took an early 4-0 lead into the 4th to help starter Daniel Lynch IV who was filling in for Brady Singer, who was scratched due to an illness. MJ Melendez even finally hit a home run! That offense wasn’t enough, although it wasn’t because of Lynch IV. He threw well, giving up three runs (two earned) through five innings. A fielding error by Maikel Garcia by Maikel Garcia in the 4th led to a two-run fourth for the Twins. The only other damage Lynch gave up was a solo home run to Ryan Jeffers in the 5th. 

The 6th is when things unraveled for the Royals. Chris Stratton came in the sixth, and it was not pretty. He went two-thirds of an inning, giving up four earned runs on five hits and two walks. He loaded the bases, and Carlos Correa capitalized, hitting a triple into the right-field corner. Stratton struggles to keep runners off base, especially due to walks. The Royals bullpen seems to be a bit gassed as they’ve had to go to some of the same guys since they have struggled to get consistency from guys like Stratton and Will Smith.

The Royals did their best to try and come back off of Twins closer Jhoan Duran. Something they had been doing all series but coming up short. Bobby Witt, Jr. drove in two on single, bringing the Royals within one. Vinnie Pasquantino came up with two outs and Witt, Jr. on base, but unfortunately, grounded out, and the Royals came up short yet again. They end up losing three of the four games of the series. 

Summary of the Next Game

The Royals will come home and look to right the ship after a 3-4 road trip. The welcome the San Diego Padres which will be another tough test. RHP Dylan Cease (5-4, 3.29 ERA) takes the mound against RHP Michael Wacha (4-5, 4.31 ERA). Wacha will face his old team.