Woods Richardson gets first win in 8 starts as Twins top Royals 4-2

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – In a showdown against the Kansas City Royals, Simeon Woods Richardson secured his first victory in eight starts, propelling the Minnesota Twins to a 4-2 triumph on Tuesday night. Jose Miranda emerged as a pivotal figure, driving in two runs to bolster the Twins’ offensive charge.

The Twins, riding high on a wave of success with six wins in their last seven games, showcased their batting prowess with standout performances from Manuel Margot, Byron Buxton, and Carlos Santana, each delivering two hits apiece.

As the game entered its tense final moments, Jhoan Duran faced a nerve-wracking ninth inning, allowing the first two Royals hitters to reach base. However, aided by Christian Vázquez’s decisive throw to catch a runner attempting to steal second, Duran shut down the Royals’ rally, clinching his eighth save. Notably, Duran’s last two pitches clocked in at an impressive 102.2 and 103.1 mph.

Kansas City, meanwhile, struggled to gain traction, managing just five hits and suffering their third consecutive loss following an eight-game winning streak. Their woes continued at Target Field, where they have now dropped a staggering 15 of their last 16 matchups.

Woods Richardson showcased his pitching prowess once again, maintaining a stellar performance by limiting the Royals to two or fewer earned runs in seven of his last eight starts. Despite often receiving scant run support, his remarkable 2.70 ERA ranks third among rookies with at least 35 innings pitched, trailing only Shota Imanaga of the Cubs (0.84) and Luis Gil of the Yankees (2.11).

Although Woods Richardson initially cruised through four innings, he encountered turbulence in the fifth as the Royals mounted a comeback. Nick Loftin’s walk, followed by Hunter Renfroe’s double, set the stage for Garrett Hampson’s RBI single, cutting the Twins’ lead to 3-2. However, a pivotal out ended the threat, preventing further damage.

On the opposing mound, Cole Ragans struggled early for the Royals but managed to navigate through five innings. Despite yielding nine hits, Ragans showcased resilience, striking out seven batters. However, he couldn’t contain the Twins’ early offensive surge, surrendering hits to the first two batters and allowing both to score on Miranda’s timely single, ending Ragans’ 13-inning scoreless streak.

Looking ahead, the spotlight shifts to the upcoming matchup, with RHP Seth Lugo (8-1, 1.74 ERA), leading the American League in wins and boasting the best ERA among qualified players, set to take the mound for the Royals on Wednesday. He is slated to face off against RHP Bailey Ober (5-2, 4.33 ERA), promising an exciting continuation of the Twins-Royals duel.