Willi Castro hit a three-run home run and Royce Lewis added a two-run shot during a six-run second inning for the Minnesota Twins, leading them to an 8-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Monday night. This win opened an important series between the division rivals and wild card contenders.
“If we keep playing like this, a game like today, we’re going to be in a good spot at the end of the year,” Castro said.
Pablo López (11-8) pitched six innings and allowed two earned runs, earning his third win in four starts. He initially fell behind due to a first-inning home run by Bobby Witt Jr. and an RBI single in the second by Kyle Isbel, who had three hits. However, the Twins broke through against Royals starter Brady Singer (8-8) after that.
The Twins, now 6-2 against the Royals this season, are 3 1/2 games behind the American League Central leader Cleveland. They had split a four-game series with the Guardians over the weekend. The Royals, now five games back, are in third place.
“We pay enough attention to it because it’s everywhere: it’s on social media, it’s in the MLB app, it’s on the scoreboard, it’s in every ballpark when you walk in and the scoreboard has standings,” López said.
“So you’re aware of it, but we like to be in the mindset that we control our own destiny.”
The Twins (66-52) hold the second AL wild card spot, while the Royals (65-54) are in the third spot, holding a two-game lead above the cut as they aim to make the playoffs for the first time since winning the 2015 World Series.
Singer had six consecutive batters reach base with two outs. His performance had been strong in his first three starts after the All-Star break but showed some weaknesses in his last two games.
After Austin Martin’s RBI single began the rally, Castro hit his ninth home run, setting a career high. His helmet flew off as he rounded second base. Lewis followed with a home run after an eight-pitch at-bat, marking his 15th home run of the season in just 40 games.
“That’s the inning that messed up the whole night,” Singer said, noting that he hadn’t given up a home run since July 14. “Obviously, I would like to have that back.”
