Daniel Lynch struggled in the opening frame and allowed three runs, a familiar theme for Royals pitchers this year, as the Twins won the series opener 6-4 on Friday evening. Royals pitchers have given up 37 runs in the first inning this year, the most in baseball.
Lynch struggled with his control, walking Byron Buxton to start the game. Back-to-back singles by Carlos Correa and Kyle Garlick would plate the first run, and a Gary Sanchez double would score another. Gio Urshela’s sacrifice fly would make it 3-0 before the Royals even got their turn to hit.
The Royals got one run back on a sacrifice fly by Bobby Witt Jr.