MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Pinch-hitter Josh Rojas drove in the final two runs of yesterday’s game to put the Kansas City Royals ahead for good 8-6 in the top of the ninth over the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Thursday, June 4.
The score marked the sixth and final lead change of the contest after the game had been tied for the sixth time that evening, which also contained a 67-minute rain delay in the middle of the sixth inning.
With the bases loaded and one out, Rojas delivered with a single that bounced off the right side of the pitcher’s mound, past the shallow Minnesota infielders and into the outfield for the game-winning hit. For the second day in a row, pinch-runner Tyler Tolbert scored the go-ahead run, and reliever Alex Lange stranded runners on first and second to secure the save.
Kansas City allowed one run in each of the first six innings, courtesy of four home runs, a triple and a double – the only six Minnesota extra-base hits for the night. A fourth inning solo homer from second baseman Michael Massey and a two-run double off the bat of catcher Carter Jensen that tied the game in the sixth were the lone extra-base hits of the day for the boys in blue. However, the Royals earned double-digit singles, as they outhit the Twins 12-9.
One of those singles came from designated hitter Salvador Perez, who logged his 114th hit at Target Field – just one knock shy of tying Miguel Cabrera’s record for the most hits as a visiting player at the 16-year old American League Central park. Perez also became the all-time RBI leader as a visiting player at Target Field with a sacrifice fly that opened the scoring in the first frame. The 15-year MLB veteran has now driven in 65 runs at Minnesota’s home site.
Center fielder Kyle Isbel and Massey both collected two hits on the day, as the former tied the game high by reaching base safely three times.
Left-handed reliever Matt Strahm pitched a clean eighth inning en route to his second win of the season, and Daniel Lynch pitched a scoreless seventh.
Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. stole second in the opening inning for his 21st steal of the year and is now in sole possession of third place in the majors in that category.
Maikel Garcia, fresh off a hamstring injury he sustained against the Rangers Saturday in Texas, pinch hit for Massey in the ninth, earning a walk to set up Rojas’ game-winning hit.
Round two of the four-game set showcases a couple of right-handed arms with Michael Wacha starting for the Royals and Zebby Matthews going for the Twins. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m.
