Ricky Nolasco Shines as Minnesota Twins Crush Royals, 7-1

Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Ricky Nolasco really likes Target Field or at least it’s safe to assume that he does. Last year as a member of the Miami Marlins he won in a freezing cold game in Minneapolis. On Saturday, it wasn’t as cold as Nolasco’s appearance last year, but it was more beautiful.

The biggest free agent signing in franchise history made his first start at Target Field as a member of the Minnesota Twins and he pitched a darling one-run eight inning performance. Nolasco gave up only five hits and one walk in the outing.

James Shields only gave up one earned run, but a poor performance by the Kansas City defense allowed seven runs to cross the plate in the first two innings of the ball game.  Six of those runs came in the second inning alone. Despite that, Shields did pitch 5.2 innings all of which were impressive and James Shields like other than that pesky second inning.

The big offensive shocker of the day for the Twins was a three run blast to center by first baseman Joe Mauer in the second inning. Mauer has knocked in all four of his RBI on the year in the last 24 hours. Before the Mauer home run, Aaron Hicks drew a bases loaded walk and Brian Dozier hit a sharp grounder to third that wasn’t fielded properly by Mike Moustakas and lead to two runs. Dozier lead off the game with a solo homer.

Michael Tonkin, who was just recalled from Triple-A Rochester with the placement of Josh Willingham on the disabled list, came into the game for the Twins in the ninth.

The only extra base hits on the game for the Twins were the homers by Mauer and Dozier.

Twins RBI: Mauer 3, Dozier 2, Hicks

The Twins and the Royals face each other again on Sunday, first pitch is at 1:10 Central.

Game can be seen on FOX Sports North and heard on the Twins Radio Network.