Kansas City Royals take Matinee, Bottom Four Go Deep

The Kansas City Royals bottom four hitters all went deep in the matinee edition of a day-night doubleheader on Saturday. The Royals defeated the Minnesota Twins 11-6 to reach 40 wins and tie Minnesota for second place in the American League Central.

The Kansas City Royals had at least one baserunner in every single inning. Mike Moustakas, Brandon Moss, Alcides Escobar and Alex Gordon all hit homers after the Royals fell behind 5-1 after 3 ½ innings.

Moustakas’ homer was his 22^nd of the year, as he continues his quest to break the Kansas City Royals’ single-season record for home runs (36). Moss’ homer, a titanic 474-foot blast to dead center, was his first bomb since May. It was one of three hits to center field today for the struggling DH.

Of Note

Right-hander Luke Farrell lasted just 2.2 innings and gave up five of the Twins’ six runs in his big-league debut. Kansas City Royals’ left-hander Matt Strahm, who relieved Farrell, was forced to exit the game in the fourth. Strahm, who has been stretched out as a starter of late with mixed results, left with knee inflammation and is day-to-day.

Up Next

Jason Hammel and Drew Butera have formed quite a successful battery of late. The duo will play catch in front of the Kansas City Royals’ defense at 7:35 in the nightcap at The K. That is assuming Salvador Perez gets the game off.

Next: Royals take Game 1 from Twins

The Minnesota Twins will also be trying to hit the balls they throw to each other, or at least the ones Hammel throws. That hasn’t been easy for opponents lately. Hammel has dropped his ERA from well over six to 4.75 in the last month. Right-hander Felix Jorge will make his own big-league debut tonight for the Twins.