Twins at Royals
The Minnesota Twins will take aim at a fill-in starter as they try to shake out of an offensive funk in the rubber match of a three-game series at Kansas City on Wednesday. The Twins are 1-5 in their last six games after Tuesday's 2-1 loss in 14 innings, scoring a total of seven runs in those five defeats.
Leadoff hitter Brian Dozier was hitless in five at-bats in the loss as Minnesota managed seven total hits - all singles. The slumping lineup gets a look at right-hander Brad Keller, who will try to lead the Royals to consecutive home wins for the first time in nearly a month. Alcides Escobar's second home run of the year delivered the walk-off victory Tuesday night as Kansas City survived an 0-for-9 effort with runners in scoring position. Rookie Fernando Romero gets the nod in the finale for the Twins, who play their next 11 at home after finishing up with the Royals.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Kansas City
PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Fernando Romero (2-1, 1.88 ERA) vs. Royals RH Brad Keller (1-1, 2.01)
Romero suffered his first career loss Friday at Seattle despite limiting the Mariners to two runs and five hits in seven innings. The outing left him with a stellar 1.50 ERA in three road starts, during which he has registered 22 strikeouts in 18 innings. The 23-year-old will be facing a divisional opponent for the first time.
Keller will make his first career start in place of the injured Eric Skoglund after 21 relief apperances. The Rule 5 selection last pitched on Saturday, allowing his first run in nearly a month in a two-inning stint at Texas. Keller, 22, has a 1.80 ERA in 10 outings at home.
WALK-OFFS
1. Twins IF Eduardo Escobar is 0-for-9 in the series and 2-for-29 over a seven-game span.
2. Kansas City is 4-for-28 with runners in scoring position in the last two contests.
3. Royals LF Alex Gordon is 11-for-26 during a six-game hitting streak.