Ryan Jeffers homered twice, and Carlos Correa delivered a clutch two-out, bases-clearing triple, leading the Minnesota Twins to a thrilling 7-6 comeback win over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday.
Key Moments in the Game
Jeffers’ first home run, a two-run blast to the left-field bullpen in the fourth inning, cut the Royals’ 4-0 lead in half. This marked Jeffers’ 12th homer of the season and his first since May 14, ending a 5-for-43 slump.
“It felt like it’s been forever,” Jeffers said, celebrating his third career multi-homer game. “I’ve been feeling really good. I think my swing has been back, my approach has been back.”
Reliever Chris Stratton (2-3) faced trouble in the sixth, allowing an RBI single by pinch-hitter Max Kepler and walking two batters to load the bases. Correa then took advantage, hitting a 3-1 fastball down the right-field line to break a 4-4 tie. It was Correa’s second triple of the season.
“Key at-bat in the game; I was just trying to stay inside the ball,” Correa said in a postgame interview with Bally Sports North. “I had to make an in-game adjustment, and good things happened.”
Pitching Highlights
Twins reliever Caleb Thielbar (2-1) earned the win as Minnesota took three of four in the series, improving to an American League-best 24-12 since a rough 7-13 start.
“Today was a good day,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “We’re finding ways to come back and win games. I think we’re playing tough.”
Royals’ Struggles and Bright Spots
Vinnie Pasquantino and MJ Melendez each homered for the Royals. Starting pitcher Daniel Lynch IV, called up from Triple-A Omaha just hours before the game, allowed two earned runs in five innings, including Jeffers’ home runs.
“He threw the ball well,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Forced contact, got them early swinging, pitch count was really low. They got to him with the home run ball, but other than that, I thought he threw it really well.”
Final Innings Drama
Pasquantino, returning after a collision with Byron Buxton, homered in the first inning to give the Royals a 2-0 lead. Bobby Witt Jr. added another run with a double in the third, and Melendez extended the lead with a homer in the fourth.
In the ninth, Witt added a two-run single, but Twins closer Jhoan Duran retired Pasquantino on a grounder to the mound, earning his ninth save.
Twins starter Chris Paddack allowed four earned runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings. “You look at our season, it’s been very streaky,” Paddack said. “We just had a player meeting and reminded ourselves: ‘Go out there and have fun, fellas.’ We have every piece that we need in this clubhouse to get back to where we want to get to.”
Upcoming Games
Trainer’s Room: The Royals optioned Carlos Hernández to Triple-A Omaha to make room for Lynch.
Up Next:
- Royals: Right-hander Michael Wacha (4-5, 4.31 ERA) will start against Padres right-hander Dylan Cease (5-4, 3.29) in the first of a three-game series in Kansas City on Friday.
- Twins: Begin a nine-game, 10-day road trip on Friday with right-hander Pablo López (4-5, 5.25 ERA) facing Houston right-hander Ronel Blanco (5-0, 1.99).
Leave a Reply