Somewhat predictably, the battle of staff aces was a low scoring game. I say ‘somewhat’ because it’s the Twins’ staff ace.

The Twins had their chances against Danny Duffy; three of them, to be exact. The first was in the 2nd with the bases loaded and no one out. No runs came out of this. I swear this has happened 100 times this year. The third was in the 4th, with runners on first and third and just one out. A Danny Santa strikeout and a Brian Dozier flyout ended that threat.

Sandwiched between those two threats, Trevor Plouffe’s double in the 2nd gave the Twins their first (and only) run of the day.

I’m a big fan of telling a story out of order, as that run tied the game. It was the Royals who struck first today, on a groundout, the 2nd lamest way of scoring. The lamest being on a double play.

The game winning (eventually) run came in the 6th, on an Eric Hosmer double scoring Lorenzo Cain.

Ervin Santana was very good today, he struck out 10 and only walked one. The Twins actually outhit the Royals 8-5, but they couldn’t get a hit at the right time. Against a good pitcher like Duffy, when you have a chance you need to capitalize and the Twins didn’t do that today.

Studs: Ervin Santana

Duds: Danny Santana, Eddie Rosario (0-7, 10 LOB between them)

ROLL CALL