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 Edinson Volquez pitched seven resolute innings and Eric Hosmer
smacked a three-run double in the first, allowing the Royals to beat
the Minnesota Twins 4-2 on Tuesday night.
"Somebody has to step up and stop the bleeding," Volquez said.
Volquez, who lasted only three innings in his previous start against
Detroit, was so focused he forget to leave tickets for his wife
before the game.
"She might be mad at me," Volquez said.
Volquez (13-7) gave the Royals their first quality start in six
starts. He limited the Twins to six hits and two runs, walked none
and struck out three, throwing 62 strikes in 91 pitches. His only
hiccup was in the third when he allowed two runs.
"I thought he was great," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "His last
start he was out of whack, all over the place. He was much more
mechanically sound tonight.
Right-hander Kyle Gibson permitted the first four Royals hitters to
score, but gave up zilch after that. The Royals managed just two
Alex Gordon hits off Gibson (9-10) after the first inning.
Gibson, who threw 20 pitches before recording an out, went the
distance for his first career complete-game. He yielded six hits and
walked two -- both in the first inning -- and struck out four.
"He's a pitch away from not recording an out and he give us a
complete-game, however, on a losing end," Twins manager Paul Molitor
said. "They just came out and it was an ambush. They got two runners
on in two pitches. He got a little tentative with the next guy,
maybe caused by the first two swings. And then Hosmer took care of
him with a big double."
Logan Darnell was warming up in the first and if Gibson had not
retired catcher Salvador Perez, Molitor said he was pulling his
right-hander.
Wade Davis replaced Volquez and pitched a 1-2-3 eighth.
Closer Greg Holland, who was pitching for the first time since Aug.
28, worked a spotless ninth to log his 30th save in 34
opportunities.
Holland was aided by shortstop Alcides Escobar's fielding gem for
the first out. First baseman Joe Mauer hit a sharp bouncer up the
middle that Escobar flagged down and threw out first baseman Joe
Mauer from his knees.
Gordon had three of the Royals hits and is 9-for-18 since coming off
the disabled.
Second baseman Ben Zobrist and left fielder Gordon each singled on
Gibson first pitches. Gibson walked center fielder Lorenzo Cain on
four pitches to load the bases with none out.
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First baseman Hosmer cleared them with a double to right-center on
the second pitch, lifting his RBI total to a career-high 81.
Designated hitter Kendrys Morales doubled on the first pitch,
scoring Hosmer to put the Royals up 4-0 after just nine Gibson
pitches.
"Really the one pitch if I could take back was the one to Hosmer,"
Gibson said. "I was trying to throw him an inside changeup down and
just left it belt high. Other than that pitch and probably the walk,
I didn't throw that many bad pitches that inning."
"I think that's the first time I've been attack like that. Most
teams come out taking, seeing if my sinker is going to stay in the
zone."
It was the fifth time the Royals scored four or more runs in the
first inning and Volquez has been the benefactor of four of them.
The Twins cut the lead in half with two runs after two out in the
third. Center fielder Brian Buxton started it with an infield single
and stole second. He scored on Dozier's single to left. Gordon
unwisely threw home, which allowed Dozier to take second. Mauer
doubled home Dozier.
NOTES: Twins rookie DH Miguel Sano, who struck out in 11 of his
previous 14 at-bats, was not in the lineup. ... Minnesota LHP Glen
Perkins is contemplating a second injection for his bad back after
seeing a spinal specialist. ... Royals RHP Johnny Cueto missed a
meet-and-greet appearance at an area barbecue restaurant Tuesday. A
Cueto representative said the pitcher received treatment all day,
causing him to miss the function. Manager Ned Yost said Cueto is
physically fine. ... The Royals will open next season April 4 at
home against the New York Mets, the first time they will start a
season against a National League opponent. ... Twins RHP Mike
Pelfrey and Royals RHP Kris Medlen are the probables for the series
finale Wednesday.
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reserved.]
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