Royals 5, Twins 2: Same old same old

What did I say in the game preview? Ervin Santana on the mound, a solid lineup at the plate, this sounded like the Twins might win one for once. For a while, it seemed like that might happen but ultimately they still lost 5-2.

Santana was solid on the mound as the only damage allowed was a 2-run homer to Eric Hosmer courtesy of that dreaded low and inside pitch to a lefty. Other than that, he was solid over his 5 innings and without knowing why I’m pretty sure he was only pulled early to avoid injury in a meaningless game.

As for the offense, they struggled for the most part against LHP Jason Vargas as he threw nothing but slop to them, topping out at 87 MPH and dropping as low as 69 (nice). However, Kennys Vargas did get to him by mashing a two-run homer of his own that knotted the score at 2 in the middle innings.

From there it was a battle of the bullpens that was ultimately won by the Royals. Though Paul Molitor worked the matchups in his favor by using Buddy Boshers for 1 ¹⁄₃ innings, then going to Alex Wimmers for an inning, it was Taylor Rogers that was unable to keep the tie intact. With one out, he was brought in to first face Jarrod Dyson but gave up a gap double to the speedster. Despite a stolen base and a walk, it seemed like Rogers might escape unscathed when Hosmer flew out to shallow center, but Kendrys Morales put enough muscle into a jam shot that led to a ground-rule double down the right field line, giving the Royals the lead. Then, an intentional walk preceded a two-run single from Alex Gordon and closer Wade Davis shut the door on the Twins, handing them their franchise record-tying 102nd loss of the season.

WP: Joakim Soria (5-8)

LP: Taylor Rogers (3-1)

S: Wade Davis (27)

Studs

Kennys Vargas (1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI), John Ryan Murphy (2-for-4, 2 2B), Ervin Santana (5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K)

Duds

Brian Dozier (0-for-5, 3 K), Jorge Polanco (0-for-4, 2 K), Taylor Rogers (1/3 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 BB)