stringer bell

I predict both Contreras and Kirilloff will play for the Twins during the upcoming road trip.

Two bloops and a blast for Larnach.

That two-seamer that moves from at the batter’s hip to the inside corner is a premium pitch.

Gordon has no minor league options remaining. He would have to be DFAed and unclaimed in order to be outrighted to St. Paul. I, for one, doubt he would be unclaimed if DFAed.

Let’s hope it’s just a little twist to that surgical knee for Lewis. Kinda puts a damper on a 5-0 lead.

Jeffers is giving signs when nobody is on base. I’ve seen a couple of veteran pitchers that prefer that approach, but switch to the pitch-com when a runner can peek at signs. Grienke might be doing the same thing

The thing that strikes me about Lewis is how big and strong he is. Not smiling on the way to the dugout. He may be a bit more shaken up than it appeared after colliding with the wall.

I liked KC’s lineup yesterday. I’d like it even better with Santana out of their lineup.

Was Jeffers giving signs?

The ball will find you! First two balls hit to center fielder Royce Lewis.

Lineups: Royals (16-29) @ Twins (28-19) Royals HITTERS H-AB RBI HR SB AVG W. MerrifieldCF 41-185 22 3 7 .222 A. BenintendiLF 53-164 18 2 0 .323 B. Witt Jr.SS 41-167 24 6 7 .246 S. PerezC 29-140 16 6 0 .207 M. MelendezRF 16-70 8 4 0 .229 H. Dozier1B 43-156 16 5 1 .276 C. SantanaDH 18-113 10 2 0 .159 E. Rivera3B 16-66 11 3 0 .242 N. Lopez2B 31-146 5 0 4 .212 Twins: HITTERS H-AB RBI HR SB AVG B. BuxtonDH 25-124 21 11 1 .202 C. CorreaSS 39-135 16 3 0 .289 L. Arraez1B 47-131 12 1 2 .359 J. Polanco2B 37-160 26 5 2 .231 G. Urshela3B 36-139 17 3 0 .259 K. GarlickRF 11-39 10 4 0 .282 R. LewisCF 12-39 5 2 0 .308 T. LarnachLF 24-83 11 2 0 .289 R. JeffersC 21-103 14 3 0 .204 Starting pitchers: PLAYER W-L ERA WHIP IP H K BB HR Z. Greinke 0-3 4.53 1.30 47.2 54 23 8 4 S. Gray 2-1 2.60 1.12 27.2 21 35 10 3

Garlick in right, Lewis in center, Larnach in left. Buxton DH.

I've enjoyed Amtrak rides to Chicago, Seattle and the east coast. It is an interesting way to travel for sure. I hope to have an opportunity to do it again sometime.

With Celestino and Kepler both presumably out for a while, maybe it makes more sense to recall Kirilloff than I earlier thought. He is after all, a corner outfielder/first baseman. I don't think the time is now to bid farewell to Gordon. That he provides infield depth and outfield depth and a reasonable chance to reach base makes him pretty ideal as a bench player. I would guess that Sanchez should be fine today and that a third catcher isn't needed.

Lewis probably wouldn't be in right field if Kepler is out. Larnach has quite a bit of experience there and Lewis is a better fit for the bigger area in left.

Agree with all of this. Miranda currently provides backup at both first and third, but bringing up both guys would also cover those positions. There is some question whether Kirilloff is all the way back, but every sharply hit ball gives evidence that he is. Lewis has done nothing to indicate that he is not ready to be back with the Twins.

The bloopers and 14 hoppers are getting through the infield. I don’t know if the Twins have eight healthy bodies to play in the field.

It appears we are going to have a lot of movement from St. Paul to Minneapolis tomorrow.

Maybe we'll see Kirilloff or Lewis sooner rather than later.

I think there is something wrong with Kepler. He played the ball hit by Merrifield poorly as well.

This is beginning to look like one of those days.

Cheap run there for KC.

Benintendi was pretty much fooled by a change up. I don’t think I would call it a cookie. Witt hit the ball hard.

Wall scraper.

C'mon Archer, the club needs innings!