Royals vs Twins Final Score: Duffy Dominates; Perez Pops 2 HR

When the offense is clicking, the Kansas City Royals (68-64) are as good as any team in the American League. Such was the case again Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins (57-74), as that offense produced plenty of runs in a 8-1 win. Unfortunately, some really bad stretches by the offense have hurt the Royals; the last few games the offense has sparkled.

Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

On the Mound

Danny Duffy was spectacular! His control was as good maybe as it ever has been as a major leaguer and his change up had batters off balance all night. Duffy pitched 6.2 scoreless innings, giving up just 5 hits and striking out 7 while not issuing a single walk.

Luke Hochevar, freshly returned fro paternity leave, went 1.1 scoreless innings, then Aaron Crow gave up a solo home run to Justin Morneau in the 9th to lose the shut out.

At the Plate

It was another terrific night at the plate for Kansas City. The Royals banged out 13 hits, 5 of which were extra base knocks. Salvador Perez had three of them as he had his best offensive night in the big leagues, going 4-5 with 2 home runs, a double, 2 runs scored and 4 RBI.

Alex Gordon also homered and Billy Butler went 2-5 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Only Justin Maxwell and Jamey Carroll were held without a hit among the starters.

This and That

The Royals options Louis Coleman and Wade Davis to AAA Omaha to make room for Duffy and Hochevar. Don’t worry fans, both will be back this weekend when rosters are expanded for September.

Last night was the first time in his 29 major league starts Duffy didn’t walk a batter. This season, in 3 starts, he has 17 strikeouts and 5 walks in 16.1 innings. He has a 1.10 ERA and a 1.041 WHIP in a small, but encouraging, sample size.

Just to highlight how tough it will be for the Royals to play their way back into the wild card race, they are still 7 games behind Oakland for the second wild spot, despite a 4-game winning streak. Losing all of those games against the Marlins, White Sox, and Nationals just crushed Kansas City’s chances because the other teams in the race just can’t be counted on to lose. What a time for the Tigers to slump; they have lost to Oakland these past three days.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

There is no doubts about awarding two POG prizes for last nights game. Sal Perez and Danny Duffy both had magnificent games and deserve the honors. Honorable mention to Alex Gordon and Billy Butler

as well.

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 – 7
• Will Smith – 1
  
• George Kottaras
• Louis Coleman – 2
  
• Bruce Chen – 2
  
• Justin Maxwell – 2
• Greg Holland -2
  
• Danny Duffy – 2
  
• Luke Hochevar

The Twins

For the second night in a row, the Twins only produced 6 hits in a game, and could push just one run across the plate. Only Pedro Florimon managed more than one hit.

Andrew Albers forgot for a moment on Wednesday that he is just a rookie. Evidently taking umbrage with Salvador Perez’s slow home run trot, Albers buzzed Perez’s head in his next at bat. Perez gave him a warning, as did the home plate umpire. Twins pitching coach also appeared to reprimanded the 27-year  rookie in the dugout after the inning.

Up Next

Bruce Chen (5-2, 2.88 ERA) will try to bounce back from a pair of awful outings to complete the sweep for the Royals. Sam Deduno (8-7, 3.69 ERA) will go for Minnesota. In 3 starts against Kansas City this season, Deduno is 2-1 with a 2.41 ERA.

AL Central Notes

Detroit Tigers (77-56): Those darn Tigers! Detroit got pummeled by the Oakland A’s by the score of 14-4. Detroit gave up 21 hits on the night. Doug Fister surrendered 7 runs on 13 hits in 5 innings.

Cleveland Indians (71-61): The Braves broke 2-2 tie against the Indians with a walk off RBI single for Chris Johnson. Justin Masterson only allowed 2 runs in six innings of work. Former Royal Mike Aviles homered in the game.

Chicago White Sox (56-76): Chris Sale went 8 strong innings against the Astros Wednesday, yielding just 1 run on 4 hits, and striking out 12. Avisail Garcia homed for the Sox.