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 Willingham played a starring role against his former team Friday
night, clearing the bases with a bases-loaded triple in the fourth
inning of a 6-5 win over Minnesota at Target Field.
A double, a single and a hit batter packed the bases in front of
Willingham, who strolled to the plate for his second at-bat against
the team who traded him to Kansas City on Monday. A sharp grounder
down the third-base line reached the corner, scoring all three men
on base and giving the Royals a 3-2 lead they wouldn't relinquish.
"I knew it was going to be a little strange against my former team,"
Willingham said. "I'm just happy I could help us win a game
tonight."
For Royals manager Ned Yost, Friday's situation was exactly why
Kansas City went out and traded for the veteran slugger.
"Absolutely, to help us win ballgames and he did that in big fashion
tonight," Yost said. "You just know that Josh is a guy that has
experience, he's a professional hitter, you feel good when he comes
up in those situations."
As he walked to the plate, Willingham said he sensed, with the
Royals down 2-0, a chance to do something big in only his fourth
game with the team.
"As a hitter, you want to hit with runners on base," Willingham
said. "I knew that was a big spot for us and, this time, come
through."
As the inning continued, third baseman Mike Moustakas' infield
single moved Willingham to third base before a triple to the gap in
right-center field by shortstop Alcides Escobar drove both runners
in, all before Twins starter Ricky Nolasco had an out in the fourth.
"That's what good hitters do there; they'll make you pay in those
type of RBI situations," Nolasco said. "(Willingham has) been doing
that for a long time, and that's pretty much the difference in the
game -- that one pitch right there."
Nolasco stranded Escobar at third and ended up retiring the final
nine batters he faced, working six innings in his first action since
July 6 after being activated from the 15-day disabled list before
the game with a strained right elbow. Nolasco took the loss,
allowing the five runs (all earned), seven hits and a walk. He
dropped to 5-8.
"I made some good pitches. A little unfortunate some balls found a
few holes," Nolasco said. "The main one was the one by Willingham.
I'd like to have that one back. I made a bad pitch there, hung it."
Royals left-hander Danny Duffy secured his eighth win, allowing
three runs (two earned) and six hits in 5 1/3 innings.
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Much of the damage done against Duffy was self-inflicted. After
back-to-back singles to lead off the third inning, Twins center fielder
Danny Santana laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt. Duffy fielded the ball
cleanly but threw wide of first base, allowing one runner to scamper
home. A sacrifice groundout by second baseman Brian Dozier made it 2-0
one batter later.
The big fourth inning for Kansas City and yet another great performance
by one of the best bullpens in baseball played critical parts in the
win.
Aaron Crow, Francisley Bueno, Kelvin Herrera and Wade Davis bridged the
gap to closer Greg Holland, who allowed a walk and a double to start the
ninth. Both scored, but Holland got out of the inning with his major
league-leading 37th save.
Two singles in the eighth inning brought Escobar to the plate, who
followed with a single of his own to knock in the eventual winning run.
It was his fourth game of the season with at least three driven in.
NOTES: The Twins reinstated RHP Ricky Nolasco from the 15-day disabled
list before the game. Nolasco started the game for Minnesota, his first
start since July 6 (right elbow strain). ... To make room on the 25-man
roster for Nolasco, Minnesota optioned RHP Yohan Pino to Triple-A
Rochester. Pino is 1-5 with a 5.37 ERA in 10 starts with the Twins this
season. ... Royals 1B Eric Hosmer will not undergo X-rays on his
fractured right hand until the end of the Royals' nine-game road trip, a
move that could delay a potential return to the lineup by at least 10
days. If all progresses well, Hosmer could rejoin the Kansas City lineup
sometime in September.
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reserved.]
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