Twins take opener from Royals 6-5 with strong start from Ryan and homers by Miranda and Larnach

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – In the opening clash of a four-game showdown between the Minnesota Twins and the Kansas City Royals, Joe Ryan showcased his pitching prowess, spinning seven masterful innings on the mound. The Twins secured a 6-5 triumph, buoyed by Jose Miranda’s two-run homer and Trevor Larnach’s three-run blast.

Ryan’s performance was nothing short of stellar, conceding only one run and four singles while boasting a team-leading ERA of 2.96. The right-hander dominated with nine strikeouts and zero walks, unleashing his four-seam fastball with gusto, clocking in at a blazing 96.6 mph according to MLB’s Statcast. He maintained his consistency, pitching into at least the sixth inning in all of his 11 starts this season.

The Twins’ offense provided crucial support, with Alex Kirilloff’s clutch RBI single in the eighth inning extending their lead. However, the Royals rallied late, as Hunter Renfroe’s RBI double in the ninth inning set the stage for a tense finale.

With tensions high, Jhoan Duran was called upon to seal the victory. Despite a couple of hiccups, including a pair of runs, Duran summoned his resolve, inducing a crucial groundout from Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. to secure his seventh save of the season.

Miranda’s third-inning homer off Alec Marsh ignited the Twins’ offense, while Larnach’s mammoth shot in the fifth inning solidified their lead. Marsh, despite a valiant effort, couldn’t contain the Twins’ power hitters, surrendering five runs over five innings of work.

The loss marked the Royals’ first losing streak in nearly a month, halting their momentum after an impressive eight-game winning streak. Looking ahead, the Royals send left-hander Cole Ragans to the mound, riding a hot streak of 13 scoreless innings over his last two starts. Meanwhile, the Twins counter with right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson, who aims to continue his dominance at home in the series’ second game.