MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Kansas City Royals reclaimed first place with a resounding three-game sweep on the road of division rival Minnesota.
The Twins were beaten so soundly, well, they lost their shirt.
One of them, at least.
Alex Gordon hit a three-run homer, Edinson Volquez struck out six batters over seven innings and the Kansas City Royals beat the Twins 7-2 on Wednesday, a night spiced up in the eighth inning by an ejection of Torii Hunter that prompted an equipment-throwing tantrum by the Minnesota star.
“You know what he’s trying to do. He’s trying to fire everybody up and get `em going,” Kansas City manager Ned Yost said. “They’ve been in a little slow bat period themselves, and he’s trying to get everybody fired up and get `em going. It’s a bit entertaining.”
Hunter was heaved by home plate umpire Mark Ripperger for arguing a called third strike. Hunter had to be restrained briefly, before yanking off his elbow pad, shin guard and batting gloves and throwing them around the batter’s box area.
Then Hunter ripped off his jersey and hurled that over the first-base line, before retreating to the dugout.
“We have bad days, all of us, as hitters, pitchers. Even umpires have bad days, and he had one,” Hunter said.
Hunter has long been a fiery player, but his blow-up likely wouldn’t have happened had the Twins not been swept at home for the first time this season. Manager Paul Molitor was given his first career ejection during the conflict, too.
Was that satisfying to see for the Royals, who arrived at Target Field on Monday trailing the Twins by one game in the American League Central?
“No, I find satisfaction in winning baseball games. To get out of town sweeping the series, it’s a good feeling,” Yost said.
The Twins scored 11 runs while stumbling to a 1-5 record on this home-stand. They hadn’t been swept since the opening series of the season at Detroit.
Volquez (5-4) pitched the Royals to victory by reaching the seven-inning mark for only the second time in his last nine starts. He scattered seven singles, walking two.