Brady Singer KOd early as Kansas City Royals lose series finale at Minnesota Twins
Everything that could’ve gone wrong for the Kansas City Royals on Sunday went wrong.
All of this young team’s compounding issues — a shaky rotation, an offense that wakes up too late and general inconsistency — were on display during KC’s 8-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
Not only did the Royals (7-22) lose the series 3-1 to the Twins, they fell to 1-6 against the AL Central leaders.
The Royals tried to rally in the ninth inning, making up two runs via a single by Vinnie Pasquantino. But the game ended with fly-out by Edward Olivares that stranded two men on base.
“When you are down 8-1, 8-2, it’s not encouraging by any means, but they don’t stop,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “These guys — every at-bat counts. Every one of these at-bats should be cherished and they understand that.”
The Royals’ issues Sunday began with starting pitcher Brady Singer, who’s yet to find his groove this season. The righty lasted just 2 2/3 innings, surrendering eight runs, including a Byron Buxton homer.
Singer threw 66 pitches, 41 for strikes, and walked three batters. He gave up one run between the first two innings and then imploded in the third.
By the time the Royals were able to record a third out, the Twins had batted around and scored seven runs with two away.
“I felt good the first two there,” Singer said. “I felt like all pitches had the right movement. I was looking to have a pretty good day there. They just kind of put a lot hits together. In the second, I led off with a walk. It kind of spun on me there.”
While Singer struggled, Twins ace Sonny Gray showed why he entered the game with a scant 0.62 ERA. Gray pitched six strong innings, allowing one run and striking out seven.
The Royals scored a run in the sixth and another in the seventh — courtesy of an error by Twins second baseman Jorge Polanco.
Kansas City totaled 10 hits and left nine stranded.
Missed the previous game of the series?
- Game 1: What went wrong for KC Royals starter Zack Greinke in loss to Twins.
- Game 2: A lowlight of a difficult season, Royals give up double ... on a bunt in loss to Twins
- Game 3: Saturday’s Royals game was wild and came down to the final inning. Here’s how KC won
An inning the Royals will want to forget
Entering the bottom of the third, the Twins held a 1-0 lead. By the end of it, the game was all but over for the Royals.
First, Minnesota’s Buxton hit his three-run homer. Two batters on-base later, Nick Gordon singled to bring home Trevor Larnach. The next Twins batter, Willi Castro, plated another run with a single.
Singer was yanked with runners on first and third and replaced with reliever Josh Staumont.
By the time the inning ended, the Twins had tallied two more runs — both charged to Singer.
Bullpen continues to impress
A lone bright spot for the Royals? Their bullpen.
After Singer’s early exit, KC’s relievers — Staumont, Amir Garrett, Carlos Hernandez and Josh Taylor — didn’t allow a run. In fact, they collectively gave up just two hits.
Quatraro praised the bullpen cast’s mindset, saying, “The guys that come in out of the bullpen are pitching in a game that’s somewhat separated, but they come in there and take their jobs seriously and they’re doing the best they can.”
Up next: The Royals head back to Kansas City and an off-day Monday. Then, they begin a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles. Ryan Yarbrough will face Baltimore’s Tyler Wells on Tuesday.
This story was originally published April 30, 2023 at 4:24 PM.
