Twins' Joe Ryan: Struggles in loss
Ryan (0-1) allowed five runs on nine hits and struck out three without walking a batter over four innings to take the loss Wednesday versus the Royals.
Ryan didn't give up a ton of hard contact, but the Royals strung together a three-run tally in the second inning and added an additional run in the third and fourth frames. The right-hander exited at 77 pitches (49 strikes) in a disappointing follow-up to his 5.1 scoreless innings versus the Orioles on Opening Day. Ryan's keeping the walks down with a 10:2 K:BB over 9.1 innings so far, but he will need to avoid putting traffic on the bases, which can bite him if an opponent can generate some power against the flyball pitcher. Ryan is tentatively lined up to make his next start at home in a tough matchup versus the Tigers early next week, which could be the first outing of a two-start week for the Twins' ace.
