Zebby Matthews pitched five strong innings in his major league debut for the Minnesota Twins, who knocked Seth Lugo around, giving the All-Star right-hander his worst start of the season and beating the Kansas City Royals 13-3 on Tuesday night.
Matthews (1-0) gave up two runs on five hits with no walks and five strikeouts, marking a significant achievement for the 24-year-old right-hander who began the season in Class A. His first strikeout was against All-Star Bobby Witt Jr.
“The first strikeout definitely helped calm the nerves,” Matthews said.
Matt Wallner (three runs, two hits) and Jose Miranda (three hits, two RBIs) led the attack against Lugo (13-7), while Max Kepler (three-run) and Kyle Farmer (two-run) hit home runs off the bullpen. Christian Vázquez also homered for the Twins, who had eight of their 15 hits for extra bases in a strong performance supporting the rookie.
“You can go out there and you can attack the zone, just throw your best stuff, try to get guys out,” Matthews said. “It definitely helps a lot.”
Minnesota kept up with AL Central leader Cleveland, still trailing by 3½ games. Kansas City fell six games back. The Twins (67-52) and Royals (65-55) hold the second and third wild-card spots.
Lugo, the major league wins leader, had a tough start, with the first four batters reaching base against him. Already behind 5-2, he gave up three hits and a walk to start the fifth inning before being removed. Lugo had pitched at least six innings in all but four of his 25 starts this year until this game.
Lugo allowed nine hits, tied a career-high with eight runs, gave up two walks, and struck out four. One run was unearned due to a throwing error by third baseman Maikel Garcia, which allowed Miranda to reach base and extended the inning for the Twins.
“This is a great lineup we have. Everybody puts in a great at-bat,” Vázquez said.
Wallner began the game with a leaping catch against the left field wall to rob Michael Massey of a home run, and Matthews pitched well after that.
