Royals Struggle Against Twins in 13-3 Loss.
The Kansas City Royals continued to have trouble against the Minnesota Twins this season, falling 13-3 in Tuesday’s matchup at Target Field. The Twins jumped on Royals ace Seth Lugo early, scoring three runs in the first inning and never looking back.
Lugo (13-7) endured his worst start of the season, surrendering eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits in just 4 2/3 innings. Over his last four outings, he has allowed 21 runs (18 earned), causing his ERA to balloon from 2.72 to 3.04.
“It was a bad one,” Lugo admitted. “I didn’t pitch deep into the game and gave up a lot of runs, which is not where I want to be. Hopefully I can make the necessary adjustments and turn the page.”
The Royals offense managed just seven hits, with solo home runs from Carlos Santana and Bobby Witt Jr. providing most of their production. Meanwhile, the Twins had a balanced attack, with six players recording at least one RBI.
“These guys are a good team,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro acknowledged. “They’ve won the division three or four times in the last five years. They have a deep team, are versatile, and always have good pitching.”
Twins outfielder Max Kepler led the charge, going 3-for-5 with four RBIs, including a three-run homer off Royals reliever Will Smith in the sixth inning. Twins pinch hitter Kyle Farmer also hit a two-run shot against Smith.
The loss drops the Royals to 65-55 on the season. They have now dropped seven of nine games against the Twins and haven’t won a road series in Minneapolis since 2021.
“We’re trying to figure it out,” Royals outfielder MJ Melendez said. “We don’t want to come in here and lose ballgames. We’re trying to win. We’ve just got to keep going.”
The Royals will look to bounce back in Wednesday’s series finale, hoping to solve their struggles against their AL Central rivals.
Royals Hit Two Homers in Loss to Twins.
The Kansas City Royals struggled against the Minnesota Twins, losing 13-3 in their latest matchup. Despite the defeat, the Royals managed to hit two solo home runs, contributing to their offensive efforts. However, the Twins dominated the game, scoring easily and showcasing their strength throughout.
Royals Offense Sputters Against Impressive Twins Rookie Zebby Matthews in Debut
The Kansas City Royals faced a tough challenge on Tuesday night, squaring off against Minnesota Twins rookie starter Zebby Matthews in his highly anticipated MLB debut. Despite Matthews’ impressive outing, the Royals managed to get on the scoreboard in the second inning thanks to a solo home run by outfielder MJ Melendez.
Matthews, a 24-year-old right-hander, made his first career start and delivered a solid performance, allowing just two runs over five innings. The Royals struggled to generate consistent offense against the young hurler, who showcased his impressive control and swing-and-miss stuff.
Melendez provided a bright spot for the Royals in the second inning when he launched a solo shot 405 feet into the right field seats. The towering blast was Melendez’s 14th home run of the 2024 season, but it wasn’t enough to spark a rally against the Twins’ potent lineup.
Matthews, who started the season at Class A Cedar Rapids, has quickly risen through the Twins’ system thanks to his ability to pound the strike zone and miss bats. In 102 combined innings across four levels this year, he has walked just seven batters while racking up an impressive 119 strikeouts.
The Royals ultimately fell 13-3 to the Twins, who provided plenty of run support for their rookie starter. Despite the loss, Melendez’s home run was a bright spot in an otherwise tough night for the Royals’ offense against the impressive debut of Zebby Matthews.
MJ launches one 405’ to get us on the board. pic.twitter.com/LzM65utPlA
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) August 14, 2024
The Kansas City Royals struggled to keep pace with the Minnesota Twins during their recent matchup, ultimately falling 13-3. Twins starter Zebby Matthews, making his MLB debut, held the Royals to just two runs over five innings, showcasing his potential as a promising pitcher.
The Royals managed to get on the board early in the second inning when outfielder MJ Melendez launched a solo home run into the right-field seats. This impressive shot, which traveled 405 feet, marked Melendez’s 14th home run of the 2024 season. However, the Royals couldn’t maintain the momentum as the Twins continued to score, including three runs in the fifth inning.
Despite the setback, Royals captain Salvador Perez added a solo home run of his own, his 22nd of the season, but it only cut into the Twins’ six-run lead. The Royals’ offense struggled to find consistency throughout the game, and they ultimately fell short, allowing the Twins to secure the series victory at home.
With this loss, the Royals’ record now stands at 27-30 on the road, while Matthews celebrated his first MLB victory. “Yesterday, Pablo Lopez, he knows how to pitch in here,” Perez reflected on the challenges the team faced. “It was tough for us the last two games, but it’s over. We need to focus on tomorrow and try to get a win.”
The Royals now find themselves 2.5 games behind the Twins (67-52) for second place in the American League Central. Both teams are chasing the Cleveland Guardians (71-49), who recently defeated the Chicago Cubs. Despite the loss, the Royals remain in contention for the AL Wild Card, holding the final spot over the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners.
As they look ahead, the Royals are set to conclude their three-game series against the Twins on Wednesday. Left-hander Cole Ragans, who has won four of his last five outings, will take the mound for KC. The Royals are eager to bounce back and secure a much-needed victory as they continue their playoff push.
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