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 The Kansas City Royals scored on a big blast early then added on to
their lead in a 7-2 win over the Twins at Target Field on Wednesday.
The win secured a three-game sweep for the Royals, who never trailed
during the series here that began on Monday. Kansas City, which
started the week one game back of the Twins in the A.L. Central
standings, is now two clear of Minnesota.
The Twins finished their six-game homestand against Milwaukee and
Kansas City 1-5 and are now 3-7 in the month of June after winning
20 games in May.
"It's nice to come in here and have them in first and us in second
(and get a sweep)," Royals left fielder Alex Gordon said. "No one
expected it to be like that. But they have a great team and we know
it's going to be a fight throughout the year."
After being pummeled for 7 1/2 innings and watching a golden
opportunity to take control of the division race slip through their
fingers, the Twins unraveled in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Right fielder Torii Hunter was called out for strike three on a
pitch that looked low and outside. He immediately took exception
with home plate umpire Mark Ripperger, who ejected him from the
game. Twins manager Paul Molitor approached to hold Hunter back and
was also tossed, his first career ejection as a manager.
But Hunter didn't go quietly.
On his way back to the dugout, Hunter continued his tirade, removing
his elbow and shin pads, each of his batting gloves and finally his
jersey, throwing them all onto the field before finally heading back
to the clubhouse.
"Just a lot of emotions," Hunter said. "I thought it was a ball. The
pitch before that, I thought it was a little up. He called it a
strike and that's fine, but I thought the last pitch he called a
strike was revenge because I said something the pitch before that.
It was definitely a ball.
"We have bad days, all of us. As hitters, pitchers, even umpires
have bad days. And he had one. What can you do? You can't do nothing
about them, can't talk about them, we get in trouble for it."
The outburst overshadowed a dominating performance by the Royals in
nearly every facet.
Kansas City right-hander Edinson Volquez pitched seven innings of
one-run ball, throwing a season-high 115 pitches -- the most by any
Royals pitcher in a game this season. Volquez (5-4) allowed six
hits, walked three and struck out six, lowering his ERA this season
to 3.07.
"He got through seven innings, that was big," Royals manager Ned
Yost said. "We didn't have (closer Greg Holland), we didn't have
Wade (Davis). He took us deep in the game. He started to labor there
in the sixth, but found a way to get us through seven, which was
huge."
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Volquez was given all the run support he needed in the early going,
as the Royals posted a four-spot in the first inning, nearly
matching their run total from the first two games of the series
(five).
After an RBI single by first baseman Eric Hosmer, Gordon followed
with a three-run homer to make it 4-0 quickly against Twins righty
Kyle Gibson.
"That was a big blow to give (Volquez) some cushion," Yost said.
"It's always nice to get runs early, always. It gives your starting
pitcher some wiggle room in case he makes a mistake. It relaxes him,
frees him up a little bit and allows him to attack the zone more
aggressively."
Gibson (4-4) settled down after that, allowing one more unearned
run, taking a loss for the first time since May 17. His final line:
Five runs, four of them earned, on five hits and two walks in six
innings of work. Gibson struck out six and has now fanned 15 batters
over his last two starts; he struck a total of 30 over his first 10
starts this season.
Minnesota committed three errors, allowing the Royals to tack on
three more runs after the first inning.
"You don't determine the fate of your season on June 10," Molitor
said. "There's a lot of baseball to play."
NOTES: The Royals will not have to make a decision on a backup
catcher until Thursday because it is a travel day for Triple-A
Omaha, where C Erik Kratz has been playing. It is believed C Drew
Butera, acquired from the Los Angeles Angels on May 7, has the
inside track to keep the spot behind All-Star Salvador Perez. ...
Twins RHP Tim Stauffer was designated for assignment. Stauffer was
1-0 with a 6.60 ERA in 13 appearances this season. ... Twins RHP
Michael Tonkin was recalled from Triple-A Rochester. ... Twins SS
Jorge Polanco got the start and batted ninth one day after being
recalled from Double-A Chattanooga. He was reassigned to Chattanooga
following the game. ... After an off-day on Thursday, the Royals
will begin a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals this
weekend at Busch Stadium. ... The Twins are also off Thursday before
opening a five-game road trip on Friday at the Texas Rangers.
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