An encouraging trend continued for Royals in Thursday’s win vs. Minnesota Twins
From 2017 to 2023, the Royals had a losing record each season against their American League Central foes, and they failed to finish with so much as a .500 record in any of those years.
That changed a year ago when the Royals made the playoffs with an 86-76 record after posting a winning mark against AL Central teams.
The correlation between success in the division and overall achievement doesn’t seem like a big revelation, but it highlights the importance of beating teams in the Central.
And the Royals did it again Thursday, defeating the Twins 3-2 at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals took three of four in the series and now have a 37-22 record against AL Central teams since the start of the 2024 season.
“Sometimes we make a lot of, like, it’s April, it’s still early in the season, but when you look back in August and September, you know these games still count the same,” Royals pitcher Kris Bubic said before Thursday’s game. “So I think approaching them with the same sense of urgency is important.”
As has often been the case the last two seasons the Royals, 7-6, rallied late and won the game.
“I feel like everyone this lineup has a grinder mentality,” third baseman Jonathan India said. “They’re going to give you a good at-bat no matter what. And we just keep pushing forward. No one really gets down on themselves.
“No one’s pushing themselves and stressing if they’re doing bad or not. It’s just a grinder mentality. We just keep working and getting better every getting better every day.”
Jonathan India clutch hit
Down by a run in the seventh inning, catcher Freddy Fermin was hit by a pitch with one out. Drew Waters, who made his 2025 season debut Thursday, singled to center and Fermin advanced to third.
India worked the count full before fouling off four straight pitches. He then delivered a game-tying RBI single on the 10th pitch from Minnesota’s Cole Sands as Waters advanced to third.
Bobby Witt Jr. followed and hit a sacrifice fly on the seventh pitch he saw to give the Royals a 3-2 lead.
“That ball is a homer almost every day of the week other than the wind,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “For Bobby, what’s most impressive in that at-bat is laying off the two cutters or sliders, down and away. When you’re anxious and you’re trying to do too much, you swing at that pitch. And he laid off of those, which got him back over the plate and was able to do something with the fastball.”
Michael Wacha loves Kauffman
Royals starter Michael Wacha allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings pitched.
It’s the 14th time in 17 starts since joining the Royals ahead of last season that he’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in an outing at Kauffman Stadium.
“Overall, was efficient whenever I was in the zone and got some quick outs, and then whenever I was nibbling and trying to be too fine, that’s whenever the walks came and and things like that,” Wacha said. “But overall ... we filled up the zone pretty decent and got some quick outs.
“Pitch count was in a decent spot. Defense was playing great behind me, making some plays and getting me through those innings.”
MJ Melendez’s great catch
Royals left fielder MJ Melendez made a dazzling catch to take a hit away from the Twins’ Jose Miranda in the fifth inning.
Melendez didn’t seem bothered by the gusty winds as he snagged the ball that off the bat had an expected batting average of .530, per Baseball Savant.
What’s next: The Royals open a 10-game road trip Friday against the Guardians in Cleveland. Kris Bubic will start for the Royals while the Guardians counter with Tyler Bibee. First pitch is at 5:10 p.m.
This story was originally published April 10, 2025 at 3:41 PM.
