Joe Ryan Dominates Again as Twins Shut Out Royals 4-0

KANSAS CITY, MO — Joe Ryan continued his dominance over the Royals, tossing seven scoreless innings and allowing just two hits in the Minnesota Twins’ 4-0 win over Kansas City on Wednesday night.

Ryan (1-1) struck out four and didn’t issue a single walk, improving to a remarkable 7-0 in nine career starts against the Royals. Over those games, he’s posted a 1.30 ERA across 55 1/3 innings.

On the other side, Royals starter Seth Lugo (1-1) threw 109 pitches, allowing two runs on five hits over 5 2/3 innings.

Minnesota opened the scoring in the fourth. Edouard Julien knocked in Carlos Correa with a single to right after Lugo walked Correa and Trevor Larnach. In the sixth, Ty France made it 2-0 with a two-out RBI single, again driving in Correa.

The Twins added some insurance late. Matt Wallner launched his first homer of the season in the eighth, and France followed with one of his own in the ninth. France had a standout night at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. He’s now batting .412 with a 1.154 OPS in 30 career games against Kansas City—his best numbers against any team.

Kansas City had a chance to answer in the fourth after Bobby Witt Jr. doubled to lead off. But a miscue on the basepaths ended the threat—Witt was caught off second after Salvador Perez lined out to center.

Up Next: The Twins and Royals wrap up their four-game set on Thursday. Minnesota will send right-hander Bailey Ober (0-1, 12.15 ERA) to the mound, while Kansas City counters with Michael Wacha (0-2, 4.66 ERA).