Alex Gordon Homers to give the Royals a 2-1 Walkoff Victory

Entering tonight’s game, Danny Duffy had lost five games when he gave up two or fewer runs. It apepared as though that number was going to increase tonight, until Alex Gordon blasted a two run walkoff home run to give the Royals a 2-1 comeback victory over the Minnesota Twins.

In theory, having Duffy face Twins starter Ricky Nolasco would be a decided advantage for the Royals, especially as Nolasco had given up 15 runs in his previous 14.2 innings. However, for one of the few times all season, Nolasco had everything working, keeping the Royals off balance with his curve and changeup as Kansas City could not muster any offense.

Fortunately, Danny Duffy was up to the challenge, pitching equally well for the Royals. Aside from the Royals putting runners on first and second in the top of the second inning, neither team got a runner past first base until the bottom of the sixth inning. This was a true pitcher’s duel.

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The Twins finally broke through in the bottom of the seventh. Brian Dozier led off with a double that went just past the diving Mike Moustakas to left. Joe Mauer followed with a looping single to center, plating Dozier for the first run of the game. Two groundouts moved Mauer to third, and Kelvin Herrera came on to strike out Trevor Plouffe, ending the inning.

However, as the Royals offense was virtually non-existent through the first eight innings, it appeared as though that one run would be enough. That is, until Alex Gordon decided to further his MVP candidacy.

Down 1-0 with Twins closer Glen Perkins on the mound, Alcides Escobar led off the bottom of the ninth with a popup that landed in shallow center for a base hit, putting the tying run on base. He did not stay at first long, as Gordon hammered Perkins second pitch int to seats in right center, giving the Royals a 2-1 walkoff victory.

Wade Davis earned the win, pitching a scoreless inning of relief. Alex Gordon was 2-4 with that walkoff home run.

Billy Butler had only one official at bat, going 0-1, but was hit by pitches twice.