Final
Royals try to avoid Twins' brooms
Apr 13, 2014 - 12:21 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Jason Vargas tries to continue his solid start to the season on Sunday when the Kansas City Royals try to avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.Vargas was terrific in a no-decision in Detroit to start his year, but was even better his next time out in a win over Tampa Bay, as he held the Rays to a run and four hits over eight innings to lower his ERA to 1.20 on the year.
"He pitched great but he also gave our bullpen a much-needed break," Kansas City manager Ned Yost said. "His ability to command a baseball and change speeds was very evident today but he works in such a professional manner on the mound. He works quick, he keeps everybody in the game. He's around the strike zone. He can pitch effectively in, he can pitch effectively away, change speeds and really keep a good offense off-balance."
Vargas is 2-3 lifetime versus the Twins with a 5.28 ERA in nine games (8 starts).
Minnesota, meanwhile, will hand the ball to veteran righty Kevin Correia, who is 0-1 with a 6.17 ERA. Correia pitched well his first time out, but was rocked by Oakland on Monday to the tune of six runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings.
"His location wasn't there," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He was out and over the plate against this team. I think after they scored a few runs, he started pounding inside, and his last couple innings were better because of that. But you can't be out and over the plate against these guys."
Correia may struggle again on Sunday, as he is 0-3 in six starts versus the Royals with a 5.29 ERA.
On Saturday, Joe Mauer completed a six-run second inning with a three-run homer, Ricky Nolasco turned in eight stellar innings for his first win of 2014, and Minnesota cruised to a 7-1 victory. Brian Dozier homered, drove in two and scored twice for the Twins, who have won four of their last seven.
Nolasco (1-1) held KC to a run on five hits, while fanning four with one walk. Michael Tonkin, summoned from the minors prior to the game, finished the contest with a scoreless ninth.
Lorenzo Cain's RBI double stood as the lone offense for the Royals, losers in four of their last six.
James Shields (0-2) was tagged in defeat for six hits and seven runs, striking out five and walking three over 5 2/3 frames.
The Twins should have Gardenhire back on the bench Sunday, as the manager missed the first two games of this set because he was at the funeral of Michael Hirschbeck, the 27-year-old son of former umpire John Hirschbeck.
The Royals dominated their season series with the Twins last year, winning 15 of the 19 meetings while posting an 8-2 mark in Minnesota.
Minnesota hasn't swept the Royals since winning four straight from June 2-5, 201
- KANSAS CITY: 3
MINNESOTA: 4
Final
Apr 13 5:03 PM - Chris Herrmann grounded into a fielder's choice to the pitcher. On the play, Trevor Plouffe advances to second, Pedro Florimon and Brian Dozier scored on Wade Davis's throwing error. Runners on first and second with one out and Darin Mastroianni due up.
Royals 3, Twins 4 Bot 8, 1 OutApr 13 4:51 PM - Eric Hosmer doubled to center scoring Alcides Escobar. Runner on second with two outs and Billy Butler due up.
Royals 3, Twins 2 Top 8, 2 OutsApr 13 4:22 PM - Norichika Aoki sacrifice bunt to pitcher scored Lorenzo Cain. On the play, Alcides Escobar advances to second. Runner on second with one out and Omar Infante due up.
Royals 2, Twins 2 Top 8, 1 OutApr 13 4:20 PM - Alcides Escobar singled to third. On the play, Lorenzo Cain advances to third and Mike Moustakas scored on Trevor Plouffe's throwing error. Runners on first and third with none out and Norichika Aoki due up.
Royals 1, Twins 2 Top 8, 0 OutsApr 13 4:18 PM - Josmil Pinto one-out, two-run Home Run (3) to left scored Darin Mastroianni. Kurt Suzuki due up.
Royals 0, Twins 2 Bot 7, 1 OutApr 13 4:06 PM - KANSAS CITY: 0
MINNESOTA: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Apr 13 2:12 PM
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