Game Score: Twins 7, Royals 3

Box Score
Charlie Barnes: 2.2 IP, 7 H, 2 ER (3 R), 1 BB, 3 K
Homeruns: Polanco (33), Buxton (19)
Top 3 WPA: Polanco (.104), Minaya (.091), Vincent (.085)
Win Probability Chart (via Fangraphs)

Twins Offense Strikes Early
It didn’t take but seven pitches for the Twins to take a three-run lead against rookie Jackson Kowar. After a single by Luis Arraez to start the game, Byron Buxton extended his MLB record with his 41st extra-base hit, and then Jorge Polanco went boom.

The onslaught continued with a Josh Donaldson walk, Max Kepler single, and an RBI single from Miguel Sanó making it 4-0 Twins before they recorded their first out with a Brent Rooker strikeout. A Nick Gordon fielder's choice scored Kepler and then Ryan Jeffers struck out to end the inning with a 5-0 cushion for Charlie Barnes.

The Twins were mostly quiet until the top of the lineup was due up for a third time in the top of the fifth. Arraez led off with another single before Buxton, once again, extended his MLB record with another extra-base hit…this time a four bagger to make it 7-0.

That would be the last of the Twins threats of the day as they were only able to muster up two more hits, another came from Arraez, in the last three innings of play.

Charlie Barnes Gets Knocked Out Early but Bullpen Finishes Year Strong
For the first time all season, Barnes wasn’t able to give the Twins four innings as he was pulled after just eight outs. In his 2 ⅔ innings he allowed nine baserunners and three runs (two earned). He actually posted a respectable 13-percent whiff percentage but when the Royals made contact, they averaged an exit velocity of 106.2 miles per hour, which was ultimately his demise.

Juan Minaya came on in relief and was able to hold the Royals to just the three runs followed by a two strikeout inning in the fourth.

Nick Vincent shined in his two innings needing only 15 pitches to strikeout two Royals and get six outs.

Not to be outdone by Vincent, Kyle Barraclough struck out the side in the seventh and added one more in the eighth before being pulled in favor of Jorge Alcala who finished the inning with a strikeout of his own.

Alcala pitched a clean ninth with two strikeouts and earned his first career save after blowing his first four opportunities this year.