Kansas City Royals win depite Wild Danny Duffy

The Kansas City Royals broke their 2-game losing streak with a 3-run rally in the 6th inning that carried KC to a 3-2 win against the Twins at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Royals won despite a shaky start from Danny Duffy, who managed to hold the Twins to 1 run despite allowing a career-high 6 walks.

The victory puts Kansas City 2 games over .500 at 54-52. The Royals remain 5 games behind Detroit in the American League Central.

On the Mound

I can’t say that Danny Duffy was good Wednesday night. He did, however, last 5.2 innings, allowing 4 hits, 6 walks, and 1 earned run with 4 strikeouts.. Duffy left the game in the 6th inning with the bases loaded and 2 out, with the Royals trailing the Twins 1-0.

Jason Frasor entered in the 6th and got the final out by striking out Chris Colabello. Frasor has not allowed a single inherited baserunner to score since coming to Kansas City from the Rangers. Frasor earned the win for getting this key out (2-1).

Scott Downs opened the 7th, and promptly gave up a double to leadoff hitter Chris Parmalee—the only hitter Downs faced. Parmalee came around to score on Eduardo Nunez‘s single, followed by Danny Santana‘s RBI single, both of which came against Kelvin Herrera.

Herrera managed to escape the jam with Sam Fuld‘s sacrifice followed by 2 strikeouts. The only run of the inning ended up charged to Downs.

Wade Davis pitched a clean 8th inning with 2 strikeouts.

Greg Holland earned his 28th save while giving up 1 walk and notching 2 K’s.

At the Plate

The Royals did all of their damage in the 6th inning against Minnesota starter Phil Hughes. Omar Infante singled to left to open the inning. After Eric Hosmer popped out, Salvador Perez, Alex Gordon, and Mike Moustakas followed with 3 doubles to score all 3 Royals runs.

Omar Infante enjoyed a perfect night at the plate, going 3-3, with 3 singles, 1 walk, and 1 run scored.

Alex Gordon also logged a 3-hit night, going 3-4, with 2 singles, 1 double, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI.

This and That

In the 4th inning, 2B Brian Dozier helped out the Royals when he and teammate Josh Willingham pulled off a double steal with 1 out. Royals 3rd baseman Mike Moustakas dropped Salvador Perez‘s throw, which caused Dozier to attempt to score. Moustakas recovered, and easily threw out Dozier at home plate on what was clearly a baserunning blunder.

Duffy escaped the inning without giving up a run by getting Trevor Plouffe on a ground out to short.

Not only did Greg Holland walk Eduardo Nunez in the 9th, the KC closer created a little drama by tossing two wild pitches that allowed the tying runner to reach 3rd base before he shut down the Twins by striking out Sam Fuld.

KC Kingdom Player of the Game

I’m going to go with reliever Jason Frasor who made the play of the game by striking out Chris Colabello with the bases loaded after a 7 pitch duel.