Royals Report: Dillon Gee Runs Out Of Gas In Loss

KC Royals Dillon Gee held Minnesota to two runs through the first five innings, but ran out of gas in the sixth to allow three Twins to score on two home runs. The Kansas City Royals lost 5-3 in Minneapolis Saturday night.

7. Final. 5. 2. 3

The Kansas City Royals fell to 56-60 with Saturday’s 5-3 defeat, and are now 11.0 games behind the Indians in the AL Central. Minnesota improved to 47-70, but still remain in last place in the Central.

Dillon Gee pitched two shutout innings while earning the win in Kansas City’s 14-inning marathon victory on Thursday night. He came back on Saturday to take his normal turn as the team’s no. 5 starter on Saturday.

He looked good through the first five innings, but hit the wall in the sixth allowing a two run shot to Eddie Rosario to put Minnesota ahead 4-1. Second baseman Brian Dozier followed with a solo blast to extend the Twins lead to 5-1, and chase Gee from the game.

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The KC Royals managed to score single runs in the seventh and ninth innings, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Gee’s collapse. The game turned on Kansas City’s inability to score after getting men on first and second and no outs in both the fifth and eighth innings. Double plays ended both scoring opportunities, and killed the Kansas City Royals hopes for another rally.

Those squandered opportunities wasted 2.2 innings of scoreless relief from lefty Brian Flynn, who gave the KC a chance to come back in the late innings.

The biggest problem for Kansas City was that no. 3, no. 4, and no. 5 hitters Lorenzo Cain, Eric Hosmer, and Kendrys Morales went a collective 0-12 on the night. With the heart of the order useless, the KC Royals offense couldn’t help but sputter in the game’s key moments.

That dominance allowed Minnesota starter Tyler Duffey to last 7.0 innings, while allowing only one two runs—including Cheslor Cuthbert‘s solo shot in the third inning. Duffey came into the game with a 5.93 ERA, and a 7-8 record on the season. But, he pitched his team to a win on Saturday night.

Next: Don't Give Up On The Defending Champs Just Yet

Along with losing the game, Kansas City lost their praying mantis good luck charm the night before. Rally Mantis died in his cage after making the road trip with the team on Friday. KC fans everywhere just hope that the Royals recent turnaround didn’t die with #RallyMantis on Friday night.

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