Twins 4, Royals 3: Viva Ken Vargas

For a good portion of the evening, 25 outs if we’re counting, it looked like the Kansas City Royals would get their first win of the season against the Minnesota Twins.

But. But! With a runner on and one out in the ninth, Kennys Vargas pinch hit for Byron Buxton against Royals reliever Kelvin Herrera. And Kennys Vargas hit the living shit out of a Herrera change-up, sending it way out into the right-center seats to tie the game at 3-3. Another implosion by the K.C. bullpen in the tenth, and the Twins claimed a very nice 4-3 comeback win.

Kansas City’s defense had done a great job of picking up Royals starter Nathan Karns and the bullpen the first eight innings. Jorge Bonifacio and Alex Gordon both made run-saving catches, and Bonifacio also contributed by helping to gun down Miguel Sano at home on a Max Kepler double. The only run prior to Vargas’ clutch dong was a solo blast from Robbie Grossman.

Twins starter Hector Santiago was adequate, allowing three runs on eight hits in five innings of work, with Bonifacio’s two-run dinger doing the most damage.

In the top of the tenth, Twins closer Brandon Kintzler did another Eddie Guardado imitation, putting runners on and skating out of the inning on a line-drive double play.

The Royals bullpen was less fortunate and even less good, as Al Alburquerque and Travis Wood walked the bases full. Jorge Polanco stroked a line drive sac fly, scoring Joe Mauer and ending the game.

It was very cool and fun.

STUDS: Vargas, Polanco, Tyler Duffey (2 innings of scoreless relief)

DUDS: That KC bullpen used to be really fucking good, right?

ROBOT ROLL CALL

Enjoy your weekend, everybody.