Royals 5, Twins 3: Maybe we should sell

The Twins entered today in danger of being swept by the Kansas City Royals, a team that was on pace to win 46 games at the start of this series.

In the 4th inning, the Twins got the first run of the ballgame. Eddie Rosario walked, and then Brian Dozier hit a double to bring him home. Eduardo Escobar singled to move Dozier to 3rd, and Logan Morrison grounded out to score Dozier.

Jake Odorizzi was nearly perfect through his first four innings, allowing just one single. The 5th inning was trouble, however. Lucas Duda got on base thanks to an error by Escobar. Rosell Herrera followed with a walk, and then Alex Gordon doubled to score both runners, tying the game.

Other than that inning, Odorizzi was very sharp today. He pitched a perfect 6th inning, and his day was done: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO.

Zach Duke was slated for the 7th, who sandwiched 2 outs with a single and a walk. Trevor Hildenberger was brought in to face Drew Butera. Sweet Drew hit a fly ball to center field that Jake Cave couldn’t catch. It rolled all the way to the wall, so Butera got a 3-run inside-the-park home run. Yup, that actually happened. Royals 5, Twins 2.

Max Kepler got one of those 3 runs back in the 8th, though, on a solo homer (12) to right. Royals starter Brad Keller had been fairly effective today, but after an Ehire Adrianza walk, his day was done. His final line was: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO. LHP Tim Hill was brought in to face Robbie Grossman. He grounded out, advancing Adrianza to 2nd, but Hill got Joe Mauer to strikeout, and Rosario to ground out to end the threat.

Alan Busenitz pitched a scoreless 8th, cleaning up a 1-out walk with a double play.

Willy Peralta closed the game out successfully, completing the sweep of the Twins. The win pushes the Royals to 30-68, and the Twins fall to 44-53. Also, that glimmer of hope I had before the All-Star break is all but gone.

Studs:

Jake Odorizzi: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO.

Max Kepler: 1-3, HR

Duds:

Zach Duke: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB

Jake Cave: 0-2, the inside the park HR

MLB Replay for this gaffe.

Robot Roll Call: