Four-run ninth seals 9-2 win for Twins over Royals
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Saturday, May 21, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Joe Ryan struck out six and the Minnesota Twins capped the game with a four-run ninth inning for a 9-2 win over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night.
Ryan (5-2) allowed one run on five hits in 5 2/3 innings with six strikeouts.
“It was a good game overall,” Ryan said. “The boys brought good run support, which takes a lot of pressure off.”
Minnesota had a pair of two-run innings and was ahead going into the ninth, when the offense erupted — including two-run double by Carlos Correa. The top six batters in the Twins lineup all collected RBIs in the win, and Minnesota’s Luis Arráez had two RBIs and scored on a wild pitch.
“I thought we battled through the beginning of the game, but we stayed on them and but some good swings on the ball,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “Overall, it was a great offensive effort and just what we were looking for.”
Brad Keller (1-4) tossed seven innings for the Royals, giving up four runs on five hits with four strikeouts and three walks. He also notched his 400th career strikeout in the sixth inning.
Royals manager Mike Matheny said Keller “made really good pitches all evening long and pitched well enough to give us a chance to win.”
Emmanuel Rivera hit his second home run of the series with a solo shot in the seventh, and Andrew Benintendi went 3 for 3 with a walk and an RBI for the Royals.
Kansas City entered the game batting .154 with bases loaded and came up empty in its lone opportunity in the sixth, trailing 4-1 at the time. The Royals left eight on base overall.
ROSTER MOVES
Twins: Selected the contract of LHP Trevor Megill from Triple-A St. Paul and optioned LHP Devin Smeltzer to Triple-A. Minnesota also designated RHP Chris Vallimont for assignment.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Twins: Placed RHP Josh Winder (right shoulder impingement) on the 15-day injured list and activated Bailey Ober from the ten-day IL.
UP NEXT
Bailey Ober (1-1, 2.75) is scheduled to start for Minnesota in the series finale on Sunday afternoon. Kansas City had not announced a starter as of Saturday night.
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