|
 The Kansas City Royals got just enough early offense and six shutout
innings from starter Jason Vargas in a 3-1 win over the Twins at
Target Field on Monday.
The victory pulled the Royals into a tie for first place with
Minnesota in the Central, 3 1/2 games clear of the third-place
Detroit Tigers.
The Royals earned back-to-back wins for the first time since May
22-23; Kansas City entered the night 3-9 over its past 12 games.
"We're treating it as a big series in (the clubhouse)," Royals first
baseman Eric Hosmer said. "This is a team that's at the top of the
division right now, we know they're playing good baseball and that's
how seasons work. When a team is going through a scuffle, it's a
series that can get us going."
Vargas (5-2) was superb, allowing just five hits while striking out
two and walking none. It was the left-hander's third crack at the
Twins lineup this season and by far his best. Vargas entered the
game 0-1 with a 9.88 ERA in his previous two outings against
Minnesota.
"What a job," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "He was locating the
ball really well, changing speeds really well. I looked up and his
strike percentage was 72 or 73 percent. He was really good."
The six-inning start tied the longest of the season for Vargas, who
allowed two runs or fewer in each of his past five starts.
"I didn't feel like I had any better command than I have at other
points," Vargas said. "But with no walks and the way it played out,
our guys' ability to shorten innings by making plays and being in
the right spots to make those plays, it was huge to keep some of
those innings from being extended."
Twins right-hander Phil Hughes (4-6) allowed three runs over 7 2/3
innings. Hughes gave up seven hits and walked one while striking out
three.
"I was able to make some pretty good pitches there in the middle
innings, and they were swinging pretty aggressively and early in
counts and giving me the opportunity to get through some innings and
conserve my pitch count, so that was a plus," Hughes said. "I was
able to go deep into the game tonight."
Hughes lowered his season ERA to 4.81, still well off the pace of
his 3.52 ERA and 16-10 record from 2014. He also allowed his 12th
home run of the season Monday after allowing just 16 all of last
year.
"I was frustrated with myself and knew I needed to get better,"
Hughes said. "While a step in the right direction, still not where I
want to be and not where I have to be if we want to continue down
this path of winning baseball. I need to be better and forget about
this one and hopefully win a series."
Trailing 2-0 in the seventh inning, the Twins attempted a two-out
rally against the Royals' stellar bullpen. Left fielder Eddie
Rosario blasted a solo homer to the opposite field, just clearing
the wall in left field to make it a one-run game. Shortstop Eduardo
Escobar and center fielder Aaron Hicks each singled against Royals
right-hander Ryan Madson, rolling over the lineup, but second
baseman Brian Dozier struck out swinging to end the threat.
[to top of second column] |
Kansas City strung together a pair of two-out singles by third
baseman Mike Moustakas and center fielder Lorenzo Cain to drive
Hughes from the game in the eighth. Hosmer followed with a single to
right off Twins left-hander Aaron Thompson, scoring Moustakas to
increase the lead to 3-1.
Royals closer Greg Holland followed with a scoreless ninth for his
10th save.
The Twins are 3-5 over their past eight games and have scored just
five runs over their past three games -- losing two of those
contests despite allowing just seven runs themselves.
"The offense isn't in high gear right now. Runs are a little bit
tough to come by," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "The best way is
to try to spread it out like we did earlier when we were rolling
better."
Kansas City took the early lead, getting a two-run blast from
designated hitter Kendrys Morales in the second inning. Morales, a
former Twin, hit his seventh homer of the season and first since he
hit two against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 22.
Dozier, right fielder Torii Hunter and first baseman Joe Mauer --
the top of the Twins' batting order -- finished the game a combined
1-for-10 with a walk, two strikeouts and two double plays while
stranding six runners on base.
NOTES: Royals C Erik Kratz's rehabilitation assignment is due to end
on Tuesday. It is believed the Royals will keep Kratz in Triple-A
while Drew Butera remains with the Royals as the primary backup to
Salvador Perez. ... Twins DH Kennys Vargas was recalled Sunday and
was in the lineup and batted fifth on Monday. ... The Royals and
Twins will play the second game of a three-game series on Tuesday at
Target Field. Kansas City RHP Chris Young (4-2, 2.56 ERA) will
oppose Minnesota RHP Trevor May (4-3, 4.45 ERA).
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
