The Minnesota Twins ended the 2015 season with a 6-1 loss to the Royals Sunday afternoon at Target Field. The win was Kansas City’s fifth straight and they locked up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
While the Royals used the game as one last tuneup for post-season play by including most of their regulars, the Twins’ lineup included several players who haven’t seen much action lately.
That began with pitcher Ricky Nolasco, who hasn’t started a game for the Twins since May 31. He was definitely rusty, giving up five runs, four hits and three walks before being pulled after 2 2/3 innings, the Associated Press reports.
Outfielder Max Kepler got his first hit, and Danny Santana got his first RBI since before the All-Star break on a single in the fourth inning, according to the Star Tribune.
Byron Buxton finishes the season with 129 at-bats so he'll be rookie eligible next year. 130 at-bats is the cutoff.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) October 4, 2015
Veteran Torii Hunter sat out, but spoke to the fans before the game started, thanking them for their support.
“I love all you guys,” he said, the Star Tribune reports.
Torii Hunter thanks the fans, congratulates the Royals and predicts "we're going to win the World Series next year." pic.twitter.com/5BVajmODCB
— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) October 4, 2015
It’s not clear whether Hunter, who’s 40, will be back. He’s hinted that he may retire but hasn’t made anything official yet.
WATCH: @toriihunter48 delivers the pregame lineup card and gets a standing ovation during the #MNTwins season finale http://t.co/HpQzwDPD97
— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) October 4, 2015
A winning season
Although the Twins missed the playoffs this year, they had their first winning season since 2010 with an 83-79 record.
Target Field attendance this season: 2,220,054, averaging 27,408 per game.
Thank you, #MNTwins fans! pic.twitter.com/rBCIKgjJ4w
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) October 4, 2015
First-year manager Paul Molitor led them to a better performance than many had expected this year.
A few Twins ordered vintage Paul Molitor jerseys, the baby-blue road "Milwaukee" version, and asked him to sign them. Hall of Fame keepsake.
— Phil Miller (@MillerStrib) October 4, 2015
So long until next year
After today's game, kids received #MNTwins players & coaches jerseys straight off their backs! #TwinsSayThanks pic.twitter.com/d9UKUbMXY4
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) October 4, 2015
— It’s a long season. (@mighty_flynn) October 4, 2015
Next year will be the 25th anniversary of the #Twins last championship. pic.twitter.com/7H1Xq5Nvh0
— David Brauer (@dbrauer) October 4, 2015
