Minnesota Twins: Kansas City Royals Bring Out Brooms

Aug 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier (2) is congratulated by third baseman Jorge Polanco (11) after hitting a home run against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier (2) is congratulated by third baseman Jorge Polanco (11) after hitting a home run against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Yikes, another rough series for the Minnesota Twins as they traveled to the home of the defending world champs and got swept in four games.

With hopes of maybe gaining some ground in the American League Central and get out of last place, the Minnesota Twins looked overmatched for much of the series.

Brian Dozier once again had a strong series, hitting a pair of home runs but the pitching let down the rest of team with a few exceptions.

Ervin Santana was strong in his outing but the rest of staff failed to contain the Royals.

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Danny Duffy once again continued his impressive season with a victory on Sunday.

While the Minnesota Twins’ own Duffey – Tyler Duffey – failed to outpitch Dillon Gee.

The rest was a rough ride as Alex Gordon and Eric Hosmer stung the Twins en route to the sweep.

With guys like Hector Santiago and Duffey really struggling, it should be interesting to see what happens when the rosters expand.

Will the Minnesota Twins decide to give some of their minor leaguers a shot at the rotation?

It’s worth noting Adalberto Mejia has been called up, so he could be given a chance over Duffey.

Personally, that may not be a terrible idea as Duffey is close to outstaying his welcome in the rotation.

Until then, who knows what the rest of the season holds for the Twins.

7. 1. 2. Final. 8

5. 7. 4. 2. Final

10. 7. 0. 2. Final

1. 2. Final. 2. 7

Brian Dozier. OFFENSE . D. <p><strong>Game One:</strong> L, 8-1, 5 Hits, 1 Walk, 1 Home Run, 9 Strikeouts</p><p><strong>Game Two:</strong> L, 5-4, 7 Hits, 5 Walks, 1 Home Run, 3 Doubles, 12 Strikeouts</p><p><strong>Game Three:</strong> L, 10-0, 4 Hits, 0 Walks, 6 Strikeouts</p><p><strong>Game Four:</strong> L, 2-1, 8 Hits, 2 Walks, 3 Doubles, 5 Strikeouts</p><p>Brian Dozier hit a pair of home runs in what was otherwise a pretty poor showing by the Minnesota Twins.</p><p>The Royals’ pitching flustered the Twins, allowing just six runs over the four-game series.</p><p>Saturday’s 10-0 loss was a fairly uninspired effort as the Twins were shut out and had just four hits.</p><p>The Twins once again struggled with their strikeouts but that is almost to be expected vs such a strong staff/bullpen.</p>.

D. <p><strong>Game One:</strong> 3 2/3 IP, 2 Hits, 3 Walks, 4 Strikeouts, 5 Earned Runs</p><p><strong>Game Two:</strong> 4 IP, 5 Hits, 4 Walks, 2 Strikeouts, 4 Earned Runs</p><p><strong>Game Three:</strong> 4 2/3 IP, 11 Hits, 0 Walks, 2 Strikeouts, 8 Earned Runs</p><p><strong>Game Four:</strong> 7 IP, 5 Hits, 1 Walk, 10 Strikeouts, 2 Earned Runs</p><p>Oh boy, one of those series’ where the starting staff just cannot get it together.</p><p>Aside from Ervin Santana’s strong outing on Sunday, the Minnesota Twins were constantly put in rough positions by the staff.</p><p>As a result, the bullpen also suffered as they pitched 14 2/3 innings of relief compared to the starting staff’s 19 1/3.</p><p>Those numbers need to get better but unfortunately we may not see a turnaround until next season.</p><p>With the way Santana has pitched, it seems the Minnesota Twins made a wise decision to keep him.</p><p>Had they let him go, who knows where they would be right now. </p>. . Ervin Santana. STARTERS

C. <div class=. . Brandon Kintzler. RELIEVERS

Game One: 4 1/3 IP, 5 Hits, 0 Walks, 4 Strikeouts, 3 Earned Runs

Game Two:  6 IP, 7 Hits, 3 Walks, 5 Strikeouts, 1 Earned Run

Game Three: 3 1/3 IP, 6 Hits, 2 Walks, 0 Strikeouts, 2 Earned Runs

Game Four: 1 IP, 0 Hits, 0 Walks, 1 Strikeout, 0 Runs

The only reason the bullpen will get such high marks here is because they were put in a tough situation by the starters.

How would one expect a young and relatively inexperienced pen to react vs the defending champs?

Adalberto Mejia made his Minnesota Twins debut, allowing two runs on five hits.

Brandon Kintzler tossed a scoreless inning of relief and J.T. Chargois made a pair of appearances.

Chargois tossed a scoreless eighth inning on Saturday but took the loss on Friday.

Kintzler however proved once again just how reliable of a reliever he has turned into for the Minnesota Twins.

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Game One: 4 1/3 IP, 5 Hits, 0 Walks, 4 Strikeouts, 3 Earned Runs

Game Two:  6 IP, 7 Hits, 3 Walks, 5 Strikeouts, 1 Earned Run

Game Three: 3 1/3 IP, 6 Hits, 2 Walks, 0 Strikeouts, 2 Earned Runs

Game Four: 1 IP, 0 Hits, 0 Walks, 1 Strikeout, 0 Runs

The only reason the bullpen will get such high marks here is because they were put in a tough situation by the starters.

How would one expect a young and relatively inexperienced pen to react vs the defending champs?

Adalberto Mejia made his Minnesota Twins debut, allowing two runs on five hits.

Brandon Kintzler tossed a scoreless inning of relief and J.T. Chargois made a pair of appearances.

Chargois tossed a scoreless eighth inning on Saturday but took the loss on Friday.

Kintzler however proved once again just how reliable of a reliever he has turned into for the Minnesota Twins.