Daily Clips
May 20, 2017
LOCAL
Bonifacio's HR not enough as KC falls in 10th
May 20, 2017 By Rhett Bollinger and Shane Jackson/MLB.com
Royals aiming to start winning trend vs. Twins
May 20, 2017By Shane Jackson/MLB.com
Herrera yields HR in 9th to let Twins off hook
May 20, 2017By Shane Jackson/MLB.com
Kennedy slated to start today against Twins
May 19, 2017By Shane Jackson/MLB.com
Kelvin Herrera blinks in ninth, Royals lose 4-3 to the Twins in 10 innings
May 19, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
Royals’ Ian Kennedy to return from disabled list on Saturday against Twins
May 19, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
Royals’ Alcides Escobar ties club record for consecutive starts
May 19, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
MINORS
Naturals hang on for rain-shortened win, 5-4
May 19, 2017By Springfield Cardinals
Griffin Dominates in Shutout Win
Lefty Tosses Seven-Plus Scoreless Innings
May 19, 2017 By Cory Nidoh/Wilmington Blue Rocks
Legends win in 18, 7-6
May 20, 2017By Lexington Legends
MLB TRANSACTIONS
May 20, 2017 •.CBSSports.com
LOCAL
Bonifacio's HR not enough as KC falls in 10th
May 20, 2017 By Rhett Bollinger and Shane Jackson/MLB.com
Pinch-hitter Kennys Vargas hit a tying homer in the ninth and Jorge Polanco came through with a walk-off sacrifice fly in the 10th to lead the Twins to a 4-3 come-from-behind win over the Royals on Friday night at Target Field.
The Royals were two outs away from their first victory over the Twins in six tries this season, but Vargas connected for a two-run blast off closer Kelvin Herrera. After Twins closer Brandon Kintzler got out of a jam in the 10th thanks to a lineout double play back to the mound, Minnesota rallied in the 10th with the help of three straight walks to open the inning. It set the stage for Polanco's sacrifice fly to left field to score Joe Mauer.
"You welcome those comebacks when they happen," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "In today's game with the way bullpens are, it seems like it's less and less frequent around the game. We stayed with it and gave ourselves a chance. Vargy, what can you say? Not sure if he was looking for that changeup, but he was all over it."
It spoiled a strong effort from Royals right fielder Jorge Bonifacio, who had a strong all-around game with a two-run homer in the third, a strong relay to get Miguel Sano at the plate in the second and a jumping catch at the wall to rob Brian Dozier of extra bases in the third.
Royals right-hander Nathan Karns gave up one run on five hits over five innings to lower his ERA to 4.17, but he was saddled with a no-decision after Herrera couldn't hold the lead. The lone run Karns allowed came on a homer by Robbie Grossman in the fourth. Karns left the game early due to stiffness near the top of his forearm that he felt from the second inning on, but he doesn't think it is anything alarming.
"I felt fine, nothing spectacular today," Karns said. "I had great defense today. To be able to get the ball in and get Sano at the plate, that was huge. That killed the momentum for them. It was one of those games where they battled."
Twins left-hander Hector Santiago also went five frames, surrendering three runs on eight hits and a walk. He allowed a run in the second on a two-out RBI single by Cheslor Cuthbert after Alex Gordon's single tipped off Mauer's glove at first.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Gordon's terrific snare: The Twins threatened in the eighth against Joakim Soria with two on and two out. Max Kepler laced a sinking liner to left field, but Gordon showed why he's won four Gold Glove Awards, as he made a sliding catch to end the inning. Gordon had to cover 31 feet in three seconds, giving it a catch percentage of 71 percent, which makes it a three-star play, according to Statcast™.
"We saw some great defense tonight," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "I've seen it a thousand times, but it's still every bit as impressive every time to see him make a play like that. Especially those diving plays, because he gets a phenomenal jump on those balls."
Sano nabbed at home: Sano opened the second with a single and tried to score from first on a double to right by Kepler. But Bonifacio helped execute a strong relay play with second baseman Whit Merrifield, who fired home to get Sano. Kepler went to third on the throw, but he was stranded after Polanco grounded out with the infield in and Jason Castro flied out to deep center.
"We got aggressive on Kep's double early," Molitor said. "They made a really nice relay to cut down that run. And then we couldn't get Kep in, so that was a missed chance."
QUOTABLE
"He's definitely a force in that lineup. When he's in there, he can impact the game with one swing of the bat like he did today. I think if he's in there a lot more and sees more pitches, he could be a great factor for this lineup." -- Santiago, on Vargas
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Bonifacio's blast left his bat at 112.7 mph with a launch angle of 22 degrees and traveled a projected 381 feet, according to Statcast™. It was Bonifacio's third homer, and was the second-hardest hit homer from a Royals player by Exit Velocity this season.
WHAT'S NEXT
Royals: Right-hander Ian Kennedy is expected to be activated from the 10-day disabled list (right hamstring) to start against the Twins on Saturday at 1:10 p.m. CT. Kennedy is 4-2 with a 3.74 ERA in nine career starts vs. the Twins -- holding them to two runs on a pair of hits on April 28 in Kansas City.
Twins: Left-hander Adalberto Mejia will be recalled from Triple-A Rochester to start against the Royals on Saturday at Target Field. Mejia posted a 3.48 ERA in four starts with Rochester.
Royals aiming to start winning trend vs. Twins
May 20, 2017By Shane Jackson/MLB.com
The Royals are expected to activate right-hander Ian Kennedy from the disabled list, while the Twins are slated to promote Adalberto Mejia from Triple-A Rochester, to fill the vacant fifth starter position, for Saturday's middle game at Target Field. With Friday night's 4-3 walk-off win in 10 innings, Minnesota improved to 6-0 vs. Kansas City this season.
Kennedy sustained a right hamstring strain against the White Sox on May 4, and he missed his two previous starts, as Chris Young served as the spot-starter. Kennedy is 0-3 with a 3.03 ERA in six starts. He has fanned 31 batters and walked 15 in 35 2/3 innings. However, Kennedy has gone more than six innings just twice this year.
Due to off-days, the Twins have been able to work with four starters -- and even sometimes three -- for a stretch. But that will change due to a recent doubleheader and lack of off-days. Mejia, ranked as the Twins' No. 8 prospect by MLBPipeline.com, was removed after three scoreless frames and 33 pitches with Rochester on Tuesday in order to start against the Royals. Mejia has made three starts for the Twins this season, going 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA.
Things to know about this game
• The Twins have already seen Kennedy once this season. He held them to two runs on two hits in 5 1/3 innings. Because of the injury, he has made just one start since that meeting on April 28.
• Kennedy has made nine starts against the Twins in his career, going 4-2 with a 3.74 ERA. In 53 innings, Kennedy has struck out 47 and walked 17.
• Second baseman Brian Dozier's 20 career at-bats are the most for any Twins batter against Kennedy. Dozier has a career slash of .200/.304/.500 against the right-hander. Eduardo Escobar has a clip of .438/.471/.625 in 16 at-bats.
Herrera yields HR in 9th to let Twins off hook
May 20, 2017By Shane Jackson/MLB.com
Royals closer Kelvin Herrera could only watch as Twins pinch-hitter Kennys Vargas trotted around the bases following a tying two-run blast in the ninth inning on Friday night.
After three scoreless frames by three other Royals relievers, a two-run lead had vanished. And the blame for an eventual 4-3 loss in 10 innings was left firmly on the shoulders of normally reliable Herrera.
"I didn't do my job," Herrera said. "There are no excuses."
But the outing began much better for Herrera than it ended. He opened the ninth by striking out Jorge Polanco, and the Royals appeared on the verge of notching their first victory over the first-place Twins in six meetings.
Instead, Jason Castro smacked a single above Herrera's head to bring up Vargas. Herrera started the at-bat with a two-seam fastball down and away. On the next pitch, Vargas deposited a changeup into the seats in right-center, to even the score at 3.
According to Statcast™, the ball traveled an estimated 438 feet from the plate with an exit velocity of 108.4 mph.
"I didn't finish the pitch," Herrera said. "In my mind, I want him to chase a pitch there. He's got pop. That was just poor execution from me."
Entering Friday, Herrera ranked sixth in the American League with eight saves, but his latest showing highlights some doubts about the hard-throwing righty anchoring the 'pen.
Herrera gave up three hits for the third straight appearance. Prior to this recent stretch, Herrera hadn't given up three hits in a game since last year. In all of 2016, he had four such appearances.
"[The changeup] was up a bit and out a little over the plate," manager Ned Yost said. "He's a big strong guy and got his hands extended. Probably if we get Castro out, they probably don't pinch-hit Vargas. That was the key at-bat."
And the Royals were unable to pick up Herrera. Al Alburquerque walked the first two batters on nine pitches to open the 10th frame. Travis Wood then issued another free pass to load the bases with none out.
Polanco then lined out to left for a walk-off sacrifice fly.
But afterward, Herrera was adamant it was his fault.
"I didn't do my job today," he said.
Kennedy slated to start today against Twins
May 19, 2017By Shane Jackson/MLB.com
Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy remains on schedule.
Prior to Friday night's series opener against the Twins, manager Ned Yost said the Royals plan to activate Kennedy from the 10-day disabled list on Saturday. A corresponding roster move will also have to made. Kennedy will then oppose Adalberto Mejia, whom the Twins plan to promote, in the middle game at Target Field.
"He's good to go, ready to go. We will wait," Yost said. "The weather [rain in the forecast] doesn't look good tomorrow. If we do get a break and get to play, he will pitch."
The only way the plan for Kennedy changes is if Mother Nature intervenes. If Saturday's game is postponed, Yost said the club will then activate and start Kennedy on Sunday.
If there is a doubleheader on Sunday, Kennedy would likely start the twin-bill opener. Twins manager Paul Molitor admitted he would prefer a doubleheader. However, Yost said he doesn't have a preference either way, and it would not ultimately impact what the Royals do with Kennedy.
"It's hard, in our division, they are leading the division. This is a pretty big series," Yost said.
Kennedy sustained a right medial hamstring strain in his previous outing against the White Sox on May 4. Prior to the injury, he logged 4 1/3 innings, in which he gave up five runs (four earned) on six hits in the loss.
Kennedy has made six starts overall -- going 0-3 with a 3.03 ERA. He has struck out 31 batters and walked 15 in 35 2/3 innings.
Worth noting
With Alcides Escobar batting leadoff in the series opener, it marked the 212th straight game that the Royals shortstop has started, matching a franchise record set by Paul Schaal. Escobar's 212 consecutive starts dating to Sept. 26, 2015, is the longest active streak in the Majors.
Kelvin Herrera blinks in ninth, Royals lose 4-3 to the Twins in 10 innings
May 19, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
The mistake was a change-up, thrown 89 mph out over the heart of the plate. Kelvin Herrera wanted the ball down, something that Twins pinch hitter Kennys Vargas would chase. He did not want this.
Herrera had already thrown a two-seam fastball that missed. As the final outcome hung in the air — one man on base, one out in the bottom of the ninth, the Royals two outs from a clean and imperative victory over first-place Minnesota — the closer hurled an 89 mph pitch toward the plate. He could feel it immediately.
“I didn’t finish the pitch,” Herrera said.
Vargas was ready to pounce. He unleashed a lightning-quick swing and powered the baseball 438 feet into the upper deck of Target Field. In one second, he delivered a game-tying two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth.
One inning later, the Royals’ bullpen would come apart again in a 4-3 loss in 10 innings. In moments, Vargas’ mammoth shot had flipped the momentum and delivered a gut punch on the first day of a 10-day road trip.
Herrera suffered his second blown save. The Royals dropped to 0-6 against the Twins on the season. A night that featured a strong outing from Royals starter Nathan Karns and a collection of spectacular defensive plays by the Royals had transformed into a brutal loss.
“In my mind, I want him to chase a pitch,” Herrera said. “But I leave it there, and he’s got power. It’s just poor execution.”
Last offseason, the Royals dealt closer Wade Davis to the Chicago Cubs, a move to free up payroll and a first strike against a looming free-agent crisis. Davis was set to become a free agent after the 2017 season. In return for one year of his services, the club acquired four years of outfielder Jorge Soler. In turn, they handed the closer role to Herrera, a two-time All-Star and one of the game’s preeminent setup men, a vital piece of the dominant bullpens of the past.
Herrera appeared ready to ascend into the role. The results have not quite resembled Davis at his peak. In 18 innings, Herrera has posted a 4.50 ERA. He has blown two saves and absorbed another loss against the Indians on May 6. The latest hiccup came at the worst time, on this night and in this season. The Royals had seized control in the third, taking a 3-0 lead on a two-run homer from Jorge Bonifacio off Twins starter Hector Santiago. They were two outs away from pulling within 3 1/2 games of first place.
“I didn’t do my job,” Herrera said. “There’s no excuses.”
Vargas, a rotund, 290-pound slugger, was pinch hitting for center fielder Byron Buxton because catcher Jason Castro had singled with one out. The Royals’ bullpen was in its fourth inning of relief work because Karns’ forearm could not stay loose. In the bottom of the second, he began feeling some stiffness near the top of the arm, he said. By the end of the fifth, he had thrown just 72 pitches. Royals manager Ned Yost sought to exercise caution.
“It was something we kind of had to work with today,” Karns said. “It was kind of there from maybe the late second (inning) there on through the game. It was just one of those things where every time I went out there, it was a little harder to get it going.”
Karns described the stiffness as “nothing alarming.” He managed to survive five innings while allowing one run and five hits. The only damage came on a solo homer from Robbie Grossman in the fourth.
“Later on in the year, maybe I could grind through and keep going,” Karns said. “But for right now, we want to make sure everything is all right.”
Even after Karns’ early departure, the Royals still had their four top relievers lined up over the final innings. Matt Strahm pitched a scoreless sixth. Mike Minor handled the seventh. Joakim Soria emerged from the eighth unscathed, thanks in part to a terrific diving catch from Alex Gordon with two men on and two out.
“I’ve seen it a thousand times,” Yost said of Gordon’s catch. “But it’s still every bit as impressive every time. You see him make a play like that, especially those diving plays. Because he gets such a phenomenal jump on those balls.”
One night earlier, the Royals had closed out a 4-2 home stand with a 5-1 victory over the New York Yankees, pulling within 4 1/2 games of first place entering a three-game series in Minneapolis.
That the Royals embarked on a 10-game road trip in last place, six games under .500, provided a reminder of a miserable April, encapsulated by a nine-game losing streak. That they remained in the neighborhood of first place with 122 games left symbolized the parity inside the American League Central.
In 2016, the Twins had face-planted on their way to 103 losses. On Friday, they opened the day with a 20-17 record and a one-game lead over the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers.