Twins 5, Royals 3: Home Runs, Tyler Duffey Stop Twins' Losing Streak

Before last Monday, Tyler Duffey had given up 16 runs in 9.2 innings his previous three starts. Make it two solid outings in a row, as Duffey struck out six and allowed just two runs over seven innings. Lowering his ERA to 5.71. He's had ups and downs. But you knew that.

Eddie Rosario, Robbie Grossman, and Brian Dozier all stroked long balls -- number 100 for Dozier. To retain this souvenir for his collection, Dozier offered the fan who caught it a $10 gift certificate for Shrimp Basket restaurants and an old Toby Keith concert ticket stub.

Dozier's leadoff double and Grossman's subsequent single put the Twins ahead 1-0, which was erased by Cheslor, the Earl of Cuthbert, on a third-inning solo shot. Grossman countered with his homer in the fifth, and Duffey took care of bizniz after that.

A Royals single and Ryan Pressly error in the eighth made things scary after Duffey left, but Pressly induced a popup and GIDP to save his dignity -- perhaps his soul. Brandon Kintzler came in, because, "save situation," and didn't do anything terribly wrong.

Your comment thread of the game involved Kurt Suzuki and the nature of existence, beginning here.

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