By Brian Hall
MINNEAPOLIS – Whit Merrifield had three hits, including a three-run homer, to back Danny Duffy’s strong start as the Kansas City Royals came back to beat the Minnesota Twins 4-2 and split Saturday’s doubleheader.
Duffy (1-2) allowed two runs – one earned – on two hits in five innings. He struck out eight for Kansas City, which has won six of its past eight games, including a home sweep of Minnesota last week. Trevor Rosenthal issued a leadoff walk in the seventh but struck out the next three batters for his fifth save.
“We needed that from Duff right there,” said Royals manager Mike Matheny, who earned his 600th win as a manager. “We needed him to get through five for us. He really showed something to us that last inning coming through and giving us an opportunity to get in there and hand the ball off to (Josh Staumont) and Rosy.”
Nelson Cruz homered in both games of the doubleheader and now has 407 career home runs, tying Duke Snider for 56th on the all-time list. The Twins won Saturday’s first game 4-2 as Cruz had a pair of hits.
In the second game, Merrifield lined a pitch into the left-field bleachers after Minnesota starter Jos Berros (1-3) walked two batters earlier in the inning.
“This is the second time we’re seeing Berros in a row,” Merrifield said. “Familiar with him, familiar with all of his pitches, seen all his pitches these last however many at-bats I’ve had. … So, I saw a changeup out of his hand and it was a good pitch for me to hit.”
Berros gave up four runs in four innings. He surrendered five hits, tied a season-high with four walks and struck out six. He’s given up eight runs in 9 1/3 innings in his past two starts, both coming against the Royals.
“Honestly I don’t feel really far (off),” Berros said of his pitches. “If I minimize the walk, I would be in better position. … I want to take that positive step.”
Duffy, who entered the game with the third-best ERA among Twins’ opponent starters with at least 100 innings pitched since 2011, was rarely in trouble.
Minnesota scored once in the first following an error. Duffy retired 14 of 15 batters at one point, interrupted only by Cruz’s sixth homer of the season that went off the facing of the second deck in straightaway center field.
“We never really got anything going,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “We have to give ourselves a little pat and say ‘That’s on us, we have to give ourselves better at bats to give ourselves a chance.”
FIRST GAME STARTERS
Ian Kennedy started for the Royals and pitched two innings as the opener, his first start since Sept. 28, 2018.
“Going in today, it just went right back into that starter routine I’ve literally done my entire life,” Kennedy said. “You have that routine for eight, nine years in big leagues. Last year, I had different routine. This year, I have a new routine.”
Jake Odorizzi was sharp early in his second start of the season following back trouble. He didn’t allow a hit until Salvador Perez singled with two outs in the fourth and struck out six in the game.
“I felt much better today, much more stronger, more like myself,” Odorizzi said. “So, that’s encouraging. I’ve still got a little ways to go. Today was definitely a big step in the right direction.”
FIRST TASTE
Saturday marked the first doubleheader of the season for Minnesota and the Royals after severe weather postponed Friday’s series opener. All doubleheaders in Major League Baseball during this virus-shortened 60-game season are seven-inning games.
“First time I’ve played a seven-inning game since probably the minor leagues when you play a doubleheader,” Kennedy said. “You kind of catch yourself, it’s the fifth inning, you’re facing the back end of the bullpen (it’s time to get going).”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: RHP Jake Junis was scheduled to follow Kennedy and be the game’s primary pitcher, but he was shut down while warming up in the bullpen. The team announced that Junis had back spasms and low back discomfort.
Twins: 3B Josh Donaldson missed his 12th straight game with a strained calf and doesn’t sound close to rejoining the team. Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey said Friday that the team is going to be careful in regard to Donaldson’s injury. He’s dealt with similar nagging injuries in the past.
UP NEXT
Minnesota’s surprise right-hander Randy Dobnak (3-1, 0.90 ERA) starts Sunday for the Twins. Kansas City counters with rookie RHP Brady Singer (1-1, 4.50). Dobnak has allowed two runs in 20 innings over four starts this season. Singer, the Royals’ first-round draft pick in 2018, earned his first major league win last week against Minnesota when he gave up two runs in five innings.
*Associated Press
