I Almost Feel Bad For KC…

Since the Minnesota Twins became a perennial contending team in 2001, the Kansas City Royals have had one season (I believe it was 2003) in which they challenged for the division title.  All those other years, the Twins have countless times either hosted or traveled to KC during the month of September, when the Royals are elbow-deep in minor league call-ups, and either swept the series or at least got our bats healthy.  In this current three-game series, that is exactly what is happening once again!

Tonight, the Twins pasted the Royals 7-1.  The Royals scored an early run in the first inning…then were held off the scoreboard for the duration.  Offensively, the Twins were led by Alexi Casilla (3-4, 2 R), Jason Kubel (3-4, 2 RBI, 1 R), Delmon Young (2-4, 1 RBI, 1 R), and Carlos Gomez (2-4, 1 RBI, 1 R).

On the mound, starting pitcher Kevin Slowey held the Royals to just four hits and one earned run over seven innings for his twelfth win, while Boof Bonser and Craig Breslow coasted the team to victory.

So, basically tonight it was just another late-season victory over the helpless, hapless Royals, who sadly seem STILL a year or two away from serious contention again.

Preview (80-65, 2nd, 1.0 GB CWS): Francisco Liriano (5-3, 3.33) vs. Brandon Duckworth (2-1, 6.60).  With a win tomorrow afternoon (and, seriously, Duckworth?!), the Twins will assure themselves at least a .500 (81 wins) finish, something they were unable to achieve last season.