Twins Video
Box Score
SP: Sonny Gray 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K (95 pitches, 65 strikes (68.4% strikes))
Home Runs: Byron Buxton (7)
Top 3 WPA: Byron Buxton .287, Sonny Gray .163, Nick Gordon .065
Win Probability Chart
Gray Holds Up League-Leading ERA
Gray continued his out-of-this-world performance this season Sunday afternoon shutting down the Royals lineup. He ran into trouble in both the second and third innings with the leadoff hitter in the second and the number two man in the third reaching third base with two outs. Fortunately, with a strong defense behind him and his curveball whiffing hitters, the Royals failed to get Gray to give up his third run of the season when they had the chance early in the game.
The Royals did get one more chance to score a run against Gray in the sixth. Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez led the inning off with a double and a single. Gray retired Edward Olivares with a ground out, but a good start from third by Pasquantino led to Gray’s third run given up on the season.
Teeing off in the Third
Flashes of the past came in the third inning when the Twins lineup brought back signs of the Bomba Squad. Starting with Byron Buxton’s seventh home run of the season that put the Twins up 4-0.
The Twins then followed up with four hits and a hit by a pitch that extended their lead to 8-0 over the Royals and knocked Brady Singer out before he could complete three innings.
A Curse Lifted via the Bunt
Nick Gordon’s last game reaching base more than once was on April 11 and for one reason or another, he has had a terrible time at the plate since April 12. But whatever curse was put upon him that day ended Sunday afternoon.
The Twins' first run of the game came from a safety squeeze off Gordon’s bat in the second, which was the third sacrifice bunt on the season for the team.
Gordon then drove in the next two runs that followed Buxton’s three-run home run that put the team up 6-0. Those RBIs ended up being his first two on the season continuing to break the end of a two-week plus cold streak.
What Up Byron?
As you've read and probably seen, Byron Buxton smashed a three-run home run to put the Twins ahead 4-0. The home run was also the introduction of the Twins dugout celebration that will now follow every home run of the season, a fisherman’s pole and vest, reeling in the cameraman.
The icing on the fisherman’s vest is the back which reads, Land of 10,000 Rakes, setting a precedent for the franchise with the most home runs in a single season as a team. The home run was also Buxton’s fifth in the Twins’ ten game homestand that ended Sunday.
Winder's Season Debut
When Sonny Gray was done, Emilio Pagan gave up on run in the seventh inning. Brock Stewart tossed a scoreless eighth frame.
In the ninth inning, Josh Winder returned from an long stint on the IL this weekend to make his season debut. His outing was not so sharp as he allowed a walk and two hits that led to the Royals tacking on a few runs before he could get the final out of the game. Winder was removed from the game following a double by MJ Melendez, setting his ERA at 27.00.
Jhoan Duran came into the game to get the final out and record the save to seal the Twins victory.
Other notes
The Twins recorded a winning record for their second homestand of the season. While things looked bleak after dropping two out of three to the Nationals to start the homestand, the season series victory over the Yankees helped them gain momentum to take three out of four over the Royals.
What’s Next?
The Twins have an off day before they start a seven-game road trip against two American League Central opponents. They will open up a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night at 6:10 p.m. Joe Ryan will go against Michael Kopech. The White Sox scored seven runs in the bottom of the ninth on Sunday to beat the Rays 10-9 and end their 10-game losing streak. They are expected to get Tim Anderson back. Also, these games are always close, regardless of records.
Postgame Interview
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