A three-run sixth inning and a three-run eighth inning proved to be the difference as the Royals beat the Twins 7-1 in their series opener Monday night in Kansas City.
Kyle Gibson (1-2) gave up four runs (three earned) and walked four in five-plus innings, as he took the loss.
Edinson Volquez bounced back from a rough outing against the Twins last week, holding Minnesota to one run on five hits in seven innings, while striking out five.
The Twins got on the scoreboard first in the second inning. Brian Dozier reached base on a walk, then came around to score on a wild throw from Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer.
Kansas City evened it up in the third, as Alcides Escobar scored on a wild pitch from Gibson.
Kendrys Morales was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and two runs scored. Salvador Perez also was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Back on the road, the Twins’ defense let down once again.
Wow. Morales just hit a pop up just past the infield and it drops in for an RBI single. Schafer made an awkward dive for it.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) April 21, 2015
Arcia just dropped a line ball in left field for an error. Yikes.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) April 21, 2015
Offensively, it wasn’t much better for the Twins, who had just five hits on the night. Trevor Plouffe was the only Twins player with more than one, finishing 2-for-4 on the evening.
The series continues Tuesday night as Tommy Milone (2-0) takes the mound against Jason Vargas (1-1).
