Win Probability Chart (via FanGraphs)

Joe Ryan started the game by putting on a masterclass during the first 7 innings, retiring six in order over the first two frames and only using 23 pitches. The first hit for the Royals came in the third, on a one-out single for Maikel García. Both Edouard Julien and Willi Castro had run-saving plays thereafter, scuppering the potential for the Royals to get on the board first.

The Twins offense continued its struggle, striking out five times in three innings, and playing into outs the others. Even with Byron Buxton out of the lineup, they continue to swing at everything and make tepid contact. There seems to be no real order at the plate; they hit more desperate than disciplined.

The one thing that the lineup did do, however, was run the pitch count up on starter Seth Lugo. Lugo had 55 pitches with only one out in the third. Carlos Correa drew the first walk of the game for Lugo, followed by another walk from Trevor Larnach.

Both Correa and Larnach showed a lot of patience at the plate with Lugo, running up the pitches to eight in each appearance.

Julien had a 2-2 count with two outs on the board. He fought through the at-bat, fouling off three pitches before getting a single to right field, scoring Correa and leaving Larnach in a pickle that ended in the final out of the inning

The Royals finally threatened in the fourth inning. Ryan allowed a double from Bobby Witt Jr., who then tried to advance to third on a line drive to center fielder Harrison Bader. Bader, however, fired to Julien to get Witt out, getting the inning-ending double play and keeping the Twins ahead on the board.

Ryan seemed more locked in than any of his other starts so far this season. Even with the balls the Royals were hitting, they were effortlessly played by the defense. His velocity was not dropping; his four-seamer was used consistently, without issue; and he even used his splitter to get around some of the hitters.

The lead was only one going into the top of the sixth inning. Matt Wallner led off by striking out swinging. However, Correa got a two-seam fastball, ripping it down the left-field line for a single. Larnach took an errant ball inside, advancing Correa again to third base.

Lugo then intentionally walked Larnach. Ty France ripped a base hit into the gap on the right side, scoring Correa to give the Twins a 2-0 lead and advancing Larnach to second, who stayed put this time. The Royals finally sent Lugo to the showers, after 110 pitches.

Ryan got an opportunity to come out for the eighth inning, something that he very well earned. Ryan only got behind the count once, leaving the inning with only 83 pitches. He was superb.

Wallner has only seen three lefties this season, but his patience at the plate showed when he hung his first solo home run of the season on Royals pitcher Sam Long to put up the score 3-0.

Griffin Jax came in to cover the eighth inning. Jax had a disastrous game on Sunday, being part of the loss of the lead and the game to the Astros, but Wednesday night, Jax locked in and walked out with a scoreless inning.

In the ninth, France launched a ball into the Twins bullpen for his first homer as a Minnesota Twin, pushing the score to 4-0. The Twins have not only been lacking in wins, but also in longballs, with only six on the season. Wednesday night, they got two.

Jhoan Duran came out to close out the game, and Witt was the only one who would reach base. (He walked.) A short chop to first from Vinnie Pasquantino ended the Twins’ six-game losing streak to the Royals.

What’s Next?

The Twins finish the series against the Royals on Thursday. Bailey Ober (0-1; 12.15 ERA) taking the bump against Michael Wacha (0-2; 4.66 ERA) at 1:10PM CST. The club then heads home after that game to face Detroit.