Royals vs Twins Final Score: James Shields Comes Up Big In 6-1 Win

It took most of the night for the offense to get it going, but once the Kansas City Royals’ (67-64) bats woke up in the 8th inning against the Minnesota Twins (57-73), the effort put forth by James Shieldswas rewarded. The Royals scored all six of their runs in the 8th and 9th innings, and Shields walked away with his 9th win of the season.

Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

James Shields probably would not have allowed a run if he had a manager who knew how to handle and protect the pitching staff. In the first 7 frames of the night, Shields allowed just 1 hit, although he did walk three. After the Royals finally pushed across some runs in the top of the 8th, Shields began the bottom half of the 8th staked with a 5-run lead. On a hot, humid night, and approaching 100 pitches, Shields let the first 2 batters on via singles.

At that moment, a manager with any acumen for baseball would have seen his pitcher was out of gas. Luckily for the Twins, Ned Yost is not that kind of manager. He left his worn out starter in. After Salvador Perez threw Clete Thomas out at second on a pitch that got away slightly, Shields walked the following hitter. Still no movement from Ned Yost, who was evidently oblivious to his pitcher’s struggles. The next hitter, Brian Dozier, doubled, driving in a run. The cheering must have awakened Yost from his slumber because he finally went to the bullpen.

Of course, the best bullpen in baseball shut the door on any more Twins’ scoring. Will Smith struck out the two batters he faced to escape the 8th, stranding two base runners in scoring position. Kelvin Herrera struck out two in a perfect 9th.

At the Plate

It took the Royals awhile to get some keys hits but Chris Getz, of all people, was the guy to get the first RBI of the night. Jarrod Dyson drove  in (???) the second run with a bunt single, then Alex Gordon doubled with the bases loaded to get the score to 5-0.

Billy Butler added an insurance run with a homer in the 9th.

Five batters had 2 hits in the game – Gordon, Emilio Bonifacio, Butler, Salvador Perez, and David Lough.

This and That

Things were looking dicey for most of the game as the Royals just couldn’t get any clutch hits. They stranded 6 base runners in the first 4 innings alone, and 10 on the night. Despite his 8th inning RBI hit, Getz was 1-5 and left 4 on for the night.

The Detroit Tigers are not helping the Royals at all, as they have lost the last two games to the Oakland Athletics, preventing the Royals from gaining any ground in the wild card race. The Royals remain 7 games back of the A’s.

The Royals signed Carlos Pena and assigned him to AAA. Look for him to join the club when rosters expand shortly.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

Let’s go with James Shields. When the Royals scored 5 runs in the 8th, Shields should have been shut down for the night, and he would have had a shutout. Honorable mention to Alex Gordon and Billy Butler for productive nights. Also, to Will Smith for bailing Ned Yost out.

Aug 25, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon (4) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

• James Shields – 11
• Alex Gordon – 15
  
• Wade Davis – 5
• Lorenzo Cain – 8
• Luis Mendoza – 3
• Billy Butler – 11
• Ervin Santana – 10
• Miguel Tejada – 5
  
• Jeremy Guthrie -5
• Eric Hosmer – 13
• Chris Getz – 3
• Mike Moustakas – 6
  
• Aaron Crow
• Jarrod Dyson – 3
  
• David Lough – 8
• Alcides Escobar – 5
• J.C. Gutierrez
• Jeff Francoeur
• Bruce Chen – 4
• Salvador Perez – 6
• Will Smith – 1
  
• George Kottaras
• Louis Coleman – 2
  
• Bruce Chen – 2
  
• Justin Maxwell – 2
• Greg Holland -2
  
• Danny Duffy
• Luke Hochevar

The Twins

Kevin Correia danced around trouble early by allowing 5 of his 6 hits in the first 4 innings. He did leave with his shut out intact after 7 frames but he had thrown 118 through 7.

The Twins offense was only able to drum up 4 hits on the night. They did draw 4 walks but struck out 11 times.

Up Next

Starting tonight, Danny Duffy (1-0, 1.86 ERA) will take Wade Davis‘ spot in the rotation and Davis will join the bullpen. It will be Duffy’s third start of the season. The Twins will send Andrew Albers (2-1, 3.00 ERA) to the mound. Albers shutout the Royals in his MLB debut a few weeks ago.

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (77-55): The Tigers dropped a rain shortened game 6-3 to Oakland. Justin Verlander gave up 5 runs (2 unearned) on 4 hits and 3 walks in just 5 innings.

Cleveland Indians (71-60): The Indians were blanked 2-0 by the Atlanta Braves. Danny Salazar yielded both runs in his 4 innings of work.

Chicago White Sox (55-76): The Sox scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th to come back and beat the Astros 4-3. Paul Konerko and Jordan Danks each had RBI singles in that 8th inning.