Twins at Royals
The Kansas City Royals’ home woes have reached epic proportions as they entertain the Minnesota Twins in Wednesday’s second contest of a three-game series. Kansas City lost its franchise-record 11th straight home game on Tuesday as the Twins recorded a 3-0 victory for their seventh win in eight contests. The struggling Royals have lost 22 of 28 overall and are in last place in the American League Central, while streaking Minnesota is now three games below .500.
Minnesota's Ryan Doumit, who homered and had two RBIs Tuesday, has four blasts and 13 RBIs over his last eight games while raising his average 22 points to .235. The Twins have outscored their opponents 42-22 over the last eight contests, with each of the last two victories coming by shutout. Kansas City recently hired franchise legend George Brett as hitting coach in hopes of reviving the offense, but the Royals have tallied just 11 runs in the Hall of Famer’s first five games.
TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), FSN (Kansas City)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH P.J. Walters (2-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jeremy Guthrie (5-3, 3.84)
Walters has won both of his starts despite allowing 18 hits in 12 innings. He gave up four runs and 10 hits in six frames of a victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in his last outing. Walters lost to the Royals last September, when he gave up six runs and seven hits over four innings.
Guthrie has lost three straight decisions since setting a franchise record with 18 consecutive unbeaten starts. He settled for a no-decision in his last outing despite giving up only two runs and eight hits in six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals. Guthrie improved to 5-2 with a 3.55 ERA in 10 career appearances (eight starts) against the Twins after beating them on April 9, when he gave up four runs and six hits in 6 2/3 frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Minnesota OF Josh Willingham has collected five RBIs over his last three games.
2. Kansas City 3B Mike Moustakas is 1-for-13 in four games against the Twins this season.
3. Minnesota C Joe Mauer (.462 in 13 at-bats) and 1B Justin Morneau (.294 in 17 at-bats) both have two career homers against Guthrie.