Cole Ragans strikes out 11 as the Royals beat the sloppy Twins 2-1

KANSAS CITY, MO — Cole Ragans delivered a dominant performance on the mound, striking out 11 over six sharp innings, leading the Kansas City Royals to a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night.

Kansas City secured its fourth win in the last five games, despite managing only two unearned runs and three hits throughout the contest.

The Royals took the lead in the eighth inning when Bobby Witt Jr. scored on a soft grounder off Vinnie Pasquantino’s bat. Witt advanced to third base after a throwing error by Griffin Jax (0-1), setting the stage for the go-ahead run.

Ragans allowed one run on four hits in his outing, while John Schreiber (1-0) escaped a key jam in the eighth. Daniel Lynch IV then recorded the final out for his first career save.

Minnesota had a golden opportunity in the top of the eighth with runners on the corners, but Carlos Correa grounded into a double play to end the threat.

Twins starting pitcher Pablo López pitched 4 2/3 solid innings, giving up three hits, before leaving the game with right hamstring tightness. López struck out six and walked one during his time on the mound.

The Royals took the lead in the fourth inning when Witt led off with a double and Pasquantino reached on an error by second baseman Micky Gasper. Witt later scored on a grounder hit by Salvador Perez.

The Twins answered in the fifth with Ty France doubling and scoring on Harrison Bader’s single that deflected off left fielder Mark Canha’s glove at the top of the wall.

López then walked Jonathan India before exiting the game due to the hamstring issue, leaving the Twins with a depleted pitching staff. Minnesota’s hitters have struggled against left-handed pitchers this season, batting just .103.

Up Next:
The Twins will send right-hander Joe Ryan (0-1, 4.50 ERA) to the mound on Wednesday, while the Royals will counter with right-hander Seth Lugo (1-0, 3.27 ERA).