Kansas City Royals defeat Minnesota Twins 7-3 – MLB Update
The Kansas City Royals got hold of the Minnesota Twins and beat them 7-3 on Wednesday, September 15 at Kaufman Stadium.
Luke Hochevar came down hard on the Minnesota Twins’ offence to unsettle them outright.
Although Hochevar was suffering from the flu, he was disposed enough to rout the Twins’ offence. "Hoch got the flu (Tuesday) and has been battling a low-grade fever," Royals’ manager Ned Yost said. "After six innings, his tank was on empty. He was done."
Also, the otherwise below par performance of the Royals has seen a sharp change lately. This was their four straight win compared to that of the Twins whose deteriorating performance can be gauged from the fact that they have lost 19 of their last 23 games.
Although the Twins tried to put up a good fight, it was Hochevar and other relief pitchers that prevailed.
"Something kind of came on after we got back from Seattle." Hochevar said. "I didn't have the energy I normally have. My body felt dead and tired. It's part of it. What it comes down to it, it doesn't really matter how you feel, its how you execute.”
Mike Moustakas and Johnny Giavotella were the ones to provide a solid start to the Kansas City Royals in the second inning as Liam Hendriks failed to curb the Royals’ offence. The Minnesota starter was subject to three hits and two runs in the inning.
Hochevar, meanwhile, continued to frustrate the Twins’ offence and allowed only a run to Danny Valencia in the fourth that brought the lead down to 2-1, but the Royals hit back hard in the next inning that literally changed the whole game.
Mike Moustakas had another run, as Johnny Giavotella executed a perfect single followed by that of Salvador Perez who doubled to deep right to take the lead to 5-1 for the Kansas City Royals to the disappointment of the Minnesota Twins starter Hendriks.
Jason Kubel had a single in the sixth for the Minnesota Twins, but Salvador Perez of the Royals aided by Alex Gordon scored a single each to take the lead to 7-2 by the end of the sixth inning. Blake Wood, who replaced Hochevar, allowed a run to Michael
Cuddyer in the seventh.
Having a 7-3 lead by the end of the eighth inning, Tim Collins had another save for the Kansas City Royals in the ninth inning to equip the team with yet another game and to sweep the two-game series.
The Royals put in a tremendous effort as they managed to dominate the Twins’ offence throughout the game. The Twins will be looking to improve their performance before their next series.
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