Royals drop further back in AL Central standings with Tuesday’s loss to Twins

The Kansas City Royals have yet to figure out the Minnesota Twins this season.

And Tuesday’s performance didn’t help matters.

The Royals fell 13-3 to the Twins at Target Field. Minnesota attacked KC ace Seth Lugo early with three runs in the first inning. The onslaught continued as Lugo failed to get through five innings.

Lugo produced his worst start of the season. He surrendered eight runs (seven earned) and allowed nine hits.

In his last four outings, Lugo has now allowed 21 runs (18 earned). His earned run average jumped from 2.72 to 3.04 in the loss.

The Royals fell to 65-55. The offense collected seven hits with much of the damage coming from two solo homers.

Meanwhile, the Twins scored at ease. Six players recorded at least one RBI.

Twins outfielder Max Kepler finished 3 for 5 with four RBIs. In the sixth inning, Kepler hit a three-run homer off Royals reliever Will Smith. Later, Twins pinch hitter Kyle Farmer connected on a two-run homer against Smith.

The Royals have lost seven of nine games against the Twins this season.

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Game 1: Six-run inning mars Brady Singer’s start in Royals loss to Twins

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Here are more notables from Tuesday’s game:

Royals club two homers in loss

The Royals struggled to find consistent offense against Twins starter Zebby Matthews. The right-hander made his MLB debut on Tuesday and allowed two runs in five innings.

It didn’t take long for the Royals to get on the scoreboard. In the second inning, outfielder MJ Melendez hit a solo home run into the right-field seats. It was his 14th homer of the 2024 season and traveled 405 feet.

However, the Royals failed to keep up with the Twins.

After Minnesota scored three runs in the fifth inning, KC captain Salvador Perez blasted his 22nd home run. It was a solo shot off Twins reliever Steven Okert that traveled over the center-field wall.

Perez was able to cut into a six-run deficit. The Royals didn’t get any closer as the Twins earned a series victory at home.

KC is now 27-30 on the road while Matthews earned his first MLB victory.

Playoff implications

The Royals fell 2.5 games behind the Twins (67-52) for second place in the American League Central. Both teams are chasing the Cleveland Guardians (71-49), who defeated the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.

KC is still squarely in the AL Wild Card race. The Royals hold the final Wild Card spot over the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners.

What’s next on the KC Royals schedule?

The Royals conclude their three-game series against the Twins. On Wednesday, KC left-hander Cole Ragans will start the afternoon matchup.

Ragans (9-7) has won four of his last five outings. In that span, he has produced a 3.23 ERA and 32 strikeouts.

The Twins have not announced a starter for Wednesday’s game.