Kansas City, Missouri - The Kansas City Royals kicked off their four-game series against the Minnesota Twins with a thrilling 4-2 victory on Monday night at Kauffman Stadium. Leading the charge for the Royals was Kyle Isbel, who went 3-for-4, including his first home run of the season.
Isbel's performance was a mix of finesse and power. He started strong with an infield hit that drove in a run during his first plate appearance. His second hit was a perfectly placed bunt, but it was his third hit that truly electrified the crowd—a towering 401-foot home run that sailed into the Royals' bullpen in right field.
Entering the game hitting just .200 with only four hits through eight games, Isbel's breakout performance was crucial for the Royals, who improved their record to 5-5. His three hits on the night fell just one shy of his career best, which he set against these same Twins last season.
Supporting Isbel's efforts was starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen, who delivered a solid outing. Lorenzen pitched six innings, allowing only five hits and one run while striking out three batters. This marked his first victory of the season, and he did not issue any walks, showcasing his control on the mound.
"I felt really good out there tonight," Lorenzen said. "The defense made some great plays behind me, and we were able to capitalize on their mistakes at the plate."
The Royals took an early lead in the second inning, scoring two runs. M.J. Melendez led off with a double, and Maikel Garcia followed with a sharp single to right, putting runners on the corners. Isbel's infield hit then scored Melendez, and Bobby Witt Jr. added to the tally with a fielder's choice, allowing Garcia to cross home plate for a 3-1 lead.
Despite the Twins tying the game at 1-1 in the second inning, the Royals quickly regained control. The Twins' run came courtesy of Willi Castro's double, which scored Ty France after he reached third on a wild pitch from Lorenzen.
In the sixth inning, Isbel's two-out homer extended the Royals' lead to 4-1, providing a cushion that would prove vital as the game progressed. However, the Twins did not go down without a fight.
In the ninth inning, Royals closer Carlos Estevez faced a challenging situation. After hitting Ty France with a pitch and walking Castro, Estevez allowed an RBI single to Harrison Bader, cutting the Royals' lead to 4-2. However, Estevez managed to regain composure and retired pinch hitter Edouard Julien on a groundout to secure his third save of the season.
Bader was a standout for the Twins, going 2-for-4 with an RBI. He also made two spectacular diving catches in left field, showcasing his defensive prowess. Despite the loss, Bader's efforts were a bright spot for Minnesota.
"We fought hard until the end, but we just couldn't get the timely hits when we needed them," Bader said. "We'll regroup and come back ready for the next game."
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli was ejected in the sixth inning after arguing a pitch-clock violation call against starter Simeon Woods Richardson. The situation arose when Woods Richardson indicated he couldn't hear the pitch signal due to communication issues with the PitchCom device. The ejection added to the frustration for the Twins, who are struggling with a 3-7 record, their worst start since 2016.
Woods Richardson had a tough outing, giving up four runs and eight hits over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out six but walked four, not helping his team's cause as they seek to turn their season around.
With the Royals and Twins continuing their series on Tuesday, April 8, the matchup will feature Cole Ragans (0-0) taking on Pablo Lopez (1-1) at 6:40 p.m. This series is crucial for both teams, as the Royals look to build momentum and the Twins aim to find their footing early in the season.
The Royals will also face the Twins again on Wednesday and Thursday, with Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha set to pitch for Kansas City in the subsequent games. With both teams eager to establish dominance in the AL Central, fans can expect an exciting series ahead.
As the season progresses, the Royals will have a clearer picture of their standing in the division, having already faced a significant number of AL Central opponents in their early schedule. The Twins, on the other hand, will need to quickly address their pitching woes to avoid falling further behind in the standings.
