KC Royals Stifled by Mike Pelfrey, Fall to Twins 3-0

7. 3. 2. Final. 0

Three first-inning runs powered the Twins past Jeremy Guthrie and the KC Royals 3-0 on Wednesday night.

Guthrie got himself into trouble early, giving up a leadoff double to Danny Santana. However, Santana ran himself into an out on a Torii Hunter groundball to Alcides Escobar, putting Hunter on first with one out.

The Twins responded with a Joe Mauer walk, and after a throwing error by Guthrie trying to pick off Hunter at second, Brian Dozier singled to center field, driving in Hunter, to take a 1-0 lead.

Kennys Vargas followed up with a single to right field to drive in Mauer to take a 2-0 lead, while loading up the bases. Oswaldo Arcia delivered the final punch of the inning, being hit in the arm on the first pitch of the at bat to take a 3-0 lead.

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Twins starter Mike Pelfrey only pitched in six games in 2014, none of which came against the Royals, but the Royals gave him plenty of trouble in 2013, scoring 13 runs off of Pelfrey in 12 1/3 innings.

However, the Royals were held in check by the veteran right hander in their first 2015 meeting, giving the Twins seven shutout innings, while striking out four and surrendering just five hits.

The Royals only threatened a few times in the shutout, the first of which coming in the 1st inning after Lorenzo Cain singled with two outs and stole second before Eric Hosmer walked. However, Kendrys Morales grounded out to second base, ending the threat.

The KC Royals loaded the bases in the 5th following two singles and a HBP, but Hosmer grounded out to end the inning. Kansas City only recorded one hit after the 5th inning and went in order in the 9th and giving Twins closer Glen Perkins his third save.

Notables: Escobar was 2-4 with a stolen base, while Hosmer went 1-3 with a triple and a walk. Although we haven’t seen a lot of power from Hosmer thus far (.392 SLG% entering tonight), he has walked in five straight games, including six times in the Twins series alone. His OBP sat at .419 entering tonight and has walked 10 times compared to just eight strikeouts.

Next: Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals, Thursday, Apr. 23, 7:10 p.m. at Kauffman Stadium; LHP Chris Sale ( 2-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. RHP Yordano Ventura (2-1, 4.80 ERA)

Next: Kansas City Royals Record-Breaking Attendance

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