|
 In the eighth inning, they erupted for six runs and seven hits
and sent 10 men to the plate.
First baseman Billy Butler and catcher Salvador Perez each drove in
two runs with two out in the eighth as the Royals defeated the
Minnesota Twins 6-1 on Wednesday night.
With the victory and the Detroit loss, the Royals hiked their lead
to 2 1/2 games over the Tigers in the American League Central.
"The feeling inside the locker room is a lot different than it was
earlier in the year," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "They felt like
they could be a good team. I think they feel now that they know
they're a good team."
Right fielder Nori Aoki and center fielder Jarrod Dyson each
contributed an RBI. Dyson's bunt single scored pinch-runner Lorenzo
Cain with the first run. Aoki's single brought home third baseman
Mike Moustakas with the go-ahead run.
"We're on a mission," Dyson said. "Everybody's heads on straight. If
you lose, you bounce back and get them tomorrow. But the more you
win, the more confidence you gain. Right now, we're living on a
high, playing the game of baseball like we're five years old."
Butler's two-out single with the bases loaded scored two runs,
making it 4-1, and Perez topped off the inning with a two-run triple
to left center.
Twins right-hander Phil Hughes, who won his first four August starts
with a 1.32 ERA, pitched seven scoreless innings but gave up five
hits in the eighth as the Royals chased him.
"Regardless of how the inning transpires, I'm going out there to
protect a one-run lead going into the eighth, knowing my pitch count
is in good shape to probably finish the thing off," Hughes said.
"That part is frustrating regardless of how they do it.
"I can remember probably two hard-hit balls tonight. That's how
baseball is going to go. You can get some hard hit balls that will
find guys and be out. But that's a team over there that finds a way
and battles. There is something to be said for that."
Hughes (14-9) was charged with four runs and seven hits in 7 2/3
innings.
"Phil pitched great," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "It was his
ballgame. They get a bloop to start off the inning. Then all of a
sudden an infield single (Moustakas). They get a single there and a
bunt single and they hit one ball hard -- Aoki who shot one over the
shortstop's head opposite-field."
Right-hander Casey Fien gave up the hits to Butler and Perez.
Right fielder Oswaldo Arcia drove in the Twins' only run, his
seventh-inning double scoring designated hitter Kenny Vargas.
Wade Davis (8-2) worked a perfect eighth to pick up the victory, his
second in two nights.
[to top of second column] |
Right-hander Liam Hendriks, who was making his Royals debut, retired the
first 14 batters and was pulled after seven innings, allowing one run
and four hits.
"What more can you ask?" Royals manager Ned Yost said. "He was on the
attack with everything he had, banging strikes, just a phenomenal job
for a spot start.
"It was a great trade that we made to get him and (Erik) Kratz. Going
into a game like this, I don't know what to expect. A lot of guys when
they first come up are a little starry-eyed, but he fit right in."
Hendriks was replacing rookie right-hander Yordano Ventura, who has a
sore back and skipped a start. Hendricks was 2-13 in 30 games in parts
of three seasons (2011-2013) with Minnesota. Hendriks was 4-1 with a
2.83 ERA in five starts with Triple-A Omaha.
Gold Glove left fielder Alex Gordon made a spectacular catch in the
third inning, crashing face-first into the Royals' bullpen fence while
holding onto catcher Kurt Suzuki's liner.
"That was awesome," Hendriks said. "Our defense did a great job tonight.
Gordon making that catch out in left and Esky (Alcides Escobar) making a
couple plays at short and Dyson running around in center.
"That's what I was aiming for, going seven and giving us a chance to
win. I accomplished my goals, but I'm hungry for more and I want to go
out and do better next time."
NOTES: The Royals optioned RHP Aaron Crow to Double-A Northwest Arkansas
to make roster space for Hendriks, who started Wednesday. Crow was 6-1
with a 3.86 ERA in 59 relief appearances. ... Yost said 2B Omar Infante
should be ready to return to the lineup Friday. He is out with shoulder
inflammation. ... The Royals took their team picture before the game.
... LHP Tommy Milone, who starts Thursday, is 0-1 with an 8.49 ERA in
three starts for the Twins since being acquired in a July 31 trade with
the Oakland Athletics.
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
