The Royals lose in front of their first sell out crown since 2018
The pitching was not the problem with the Royals as Zack Greinke went 5.1 innings allowing the only two runs of the game. The offense was only able to muster two hits the entire game. While the team walked five times they could not take advantage of runners in scoring position.
Only giving up two runs was an impressive feat with the knowledge that the Royals et the Twins laid the bases on three separate occasions. Greinke gave up a stand up triple in the top of the sixth inning to Twins center field Bryon Boxton. He would score a line drive single off the bat of Trevor Larnach. After recording a fly out in foul territory that would be it for the future hall of famer Greinke.
The heart of the line up including Bobby Whitt Jr. MJ Melendez, Salvador Perez, and Vinnie Pasquantino only got one hit. They were able to get on base three other times with walks. Other than that they could not get on base.
The Royals’ best chance to score came in the bottom of the fifth inning when Kansas City was able to load the bases.
The inning started with Hunter Dozier striking out and Kyle Isbel getting the team’s second hit of the game. Isbel lined a ball to center field to get an easy double. Edwards Olivares would get hit by a pitch and walk on six pitches to load them up. Melendez would come up to bat with a golden opportunity to get on the scoreboard. Unfortunately for the boys in blue Melendez would not take advantage of the runners in scoring position.
After getting up to a 3-0 count Melendez would let a strike go by, swing at a ball outside the strike zone, and hit a weak ground ball to first base. The Twins would get a double ball double play going from first base to home and back to first base.
The Bullpen was able to keep the Twins from adding to their lead as the Royals used five total pitchers on the day. Jose Cuas looked the best of them. He was put in the game to start the eighth inning. He would strike out the side.
If the Royals bullpen is going to be an improvement from last year, Cuas is going to have to be one of the guys Kansas City will need to lean on.
The Royals have Friday off and will take on the Twins in game two on April first.
