On Tommy Pham’s controversial infield hit, the Kansas City Royals rallied past the visiting Minnesota Twins 4-2 on Saturday evening.
The Royals (78-65) remained in second place in the American League Central, moving a game and a half ahead of the Twins (76-66).
Trailing 2-0 and with just one hit through seven innings, Kansas City plated four against relievers Jhoan Duran (6-9) and Griffin Jax.
After Kyle Isbel’s RBI single to left, Pham tapped a soft grounder to the left side of the infield. Pinch-runner Dairon Blanco appeared to interfere with third baseman Royce Lewis, leaving shortstop Brooks Lee to barehand the ball.
Lee threw wildly past first, allowing Blanco to score the tying run. Bobby Witt Jr. and MJ Melendez followed with run-scoring singles to cap the four-run inning.
Daniel Lynch IV (1-0) struck out four in three shutout innings to earn the win and Lucas Erceg pitched a hitless ninth for his 10th save, his seventh with the Royals.
Alec Marsh allowed two runs on four hits with five strikeouts in five innings for Kansas City, who have won three straight.
The comeback spoiled a spectacular start by Bailey Ober, who allowed only two baserunners — one on a hit batter and one on a single — while striking out seven in seven innings. He retired 15 straight batters at one point in his second straight start of allowing just one hit and fourth of the year allowing one hit while throwing at least six innings.
The Twins got both runs in the third inning on Jose Miranda’s RBI triple to right and Matt Wallner’s RBI double.
Edouard Julien had two of Minnesota’s five hits.
Making his major league debut, DaShawn Kiersey Jr. started in center field, going hitless in three at-bats.
Carlos Santana left in the sixth inning due to illness.
The Twins have lost 9 of their last 13 games.
–Field Level Media