Royals outfielder’s throw home drills Twins runner: ‘Thank God I’ve got a thick neck’

Twins pitcher Pablo López on Wednesday night had the fourth-best game score of the 2023 season, per Baseball Reference’s Stathead resource.

López struck out a dozen Royals and allowed just four hits in the Twins’ 5-0 win at Target Field.

The biggest play for the Twins’ offense came in the third inning. Minnesota led 1-0 and had runners on first and second with two outs. Alex Kirilloff singled to left field, and the Royals’ MJ Melendez appeared to have a good chance of throwing out Minnesota catcher Ryan Jeffers at the plate.

Instead, the throw was off the mark and drilled Jeffers in the neck. The ball bounced toward the Royals dugout where pitcher Alec Marsh ran it down.

Jeffers appeared woozy and stayed on the ground as teammate Carlos Correa rounded third and headed to the plate. Royals catcher Salvador Perez was ready for Marsh’s throw but it was off the mark and nearly hit Jeffers again.

Fortunately, Royals infielder Matt Duffy was in position to get the ball after Marsh’s errant throw, otherwise Kirilloff may have had a Little League home run.

This was a wild play that saw the Twins score twice and left Jeffers with a nasty mark on his neck.

Jeffers stayed in the game and told reporters the ball actually hit in a good spot.

“It just got like all muscle,” Jeffers said. “It’s just like getting hit on the thigh or something. Thank God I’ve got a thick neck.”