Kansas City Royals can’t solve Twins ace Pablo Lopez in series-ending shutout
The Kansas City Royals ran into vintage Pablo Lopez on Wednesday night at Target Field.
The Minnesota ace threw a complete-game as the Twins shut out the Royals 5-0.
Lopez was dominant from the first pitch, striking out Royals shortstop Maikel Garcia on five pitches to open the game.
Garcia’s at-bat was a harbinger of things to come. Lopez proceeded to overpower the Royals with his electric fastball, which reached 95 mph.
“His stuff was electric,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “From where I was sitting, the breaking ball was exploding. He located the fastball. ... I think that is one of the higher strike percentages I’ve ever seen in a game. Hats off to him. He was just better tonight.”
Lopez set a new career high-water mark with 12 strikeouts. At one point, he struck out six consecutive batters. The fastball generated 20 swings and seven whiffs.
Balanced with off-speed pitches, it keep Lopez ahead in the count. The Royals collected just four hits.. Outfielders Kyle Isbel and MJ Melendez registered doubles.
“I just don’t think, necessarily as a whole, we made him work,” Melendez said. “We had some early swings and he had really quick innings. We kind of helped him out, I feel like, at times. It’s something we’ve got to learn from and do a better job.”
The Twins, 9-1 against the Royals this year, found more success against KC rookie Alec Marsh. The Twins burned him for three runs in his second major-league start.
In the first inning, Edouard Julien hit a solo home run. The Twins added two more when the Royals committed a costly error in the third inning.
Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers went 2 for 3. He hit his fourth home run of the season in the seventh inning to seal the deal.
KC dropped to 25-62 this season and was swept for the ninth time.
Missed previous games of the series?
Game 1: Royals surrender five runs in eighth inning, fall 8-4 to Twins
Game 2: Zack Greinke exits with shoulder discomfort in Royals 9-3 loss
Injury Update: Royals place Zack Greinke on 15-day injured list
Twins take advantage of royal mistake
The Royals committed a costly mistake in the third inning. After recording two consecutive strikeouts, Marsh surrendered an RBI single to Twins first baseman Alex Kirilloff.
Kirilloff sliced a line drive into left field. Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers rounded third base with intention to score. Meanwhile, Royals left fielder MJ Melendez fielded the baseball and lined up to throw home.
Melendez’s throw missed the mark. The baseball rolled past Royals catcher Salvador Perez as Jeffers scored.
“I just threw it a little too much up the line,” Melendez said. “I was trying to make a good throw. It felt good out of my hand. Just trying to get used to that angle throwing home from left field. I haven’t made a ton of those in a really long time.”
Marsh recovered the baseball and threw back to Perez. But the throw was too late as Twins star Carlos Correa also crossed home plate.
“I left that pitch up,” Marsh said. “(It) allowed them to hit it to left field. I get that pitch down, it’s a different story.”
Marsh allowed two runs, one unearned, while Melendez was charged with an error. It proved to be a crucial sequence. The Twins secured a three-run lead they never relinquished.
Dylan Coleman surrenders run in big-league return
Royals reliever Dylan Coleman is back with the big-league club. After making the opening day roster, he was optioned on April 13.
In the ninth inning, Coleman showed off his improved command. He allowed a run and a walk and struck out two in his relief appearance.
“His stuff looked good,” Quatraro said. “His velo was up from when he was with us the last time. (He) threw some good breaking balls. The walk to (Byron) Buxton, and the bloop double there, but he threw the ball well.”
Coleman got Kirilloff swinging on a 96.4 mph fastball and outfielder Max Kepler on an 81 mph sweeper. The only damage was an RBI double by third baseman Donovan Solano.
Coleman compiled a 4.26 ERA in 19 innings with Triple-A Omaha.
What’s next: The Royals open a four-game series against the Cleveland Guardians. Jordan Lyles will start Thursday against Tanner Bibee at Progressive Field.
This story was originally published July 5, 2023 at 9:19 PM.
