The Kansas City Royals rode seven strong innings — from starting pitcher Glen Sparkman — to a series-opening 4-1 win over the Minnesota Twins, Thursday.
Sparkman surrendered just one run on five hits while striking out three. Manager Ned Yost says Sparkman was in attack-mode.
The Royals scored three runs in the first inning, as Alex Gordon doubled in Whit Merrifield and Nicky Lopez. Lucas Duda capped the scoring, driving in Cheslor Cuthbert. Yost says Gordon’s double helped set the tone for the entire game and called it a complete effort.
Jake Diekman pitched a spotless eighth inning and Ian Kennedy pitched a scoreless ninth for his ninth save of the year.
Kansas City and Minnesota continue their series Friday night. Jakob Junis takes the hill against the Twins’ Martin Perez. Pregame at 6:30, with first pitch at 7:15, on KVOE 1400 AM/96.9 FM.
