Royals' Michael Wacha aims to shut down Ty France, Twins

Ty France keeps coming up in big moments for the Minnesota Twins.

France will try to keep it going when the Twins take on the Kansas City Royals on Saturday afternoon in the second contest of a three-game set in Minneapolis. France hit a game-winning, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth in the series opener on Friday.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli tried to put his finger on France's ability to come through in the clutch. It was not easy for the skipper, but he hopes that the timely hits will continue.

"I don't know if there's one reason," Baldelli said after the 3-1 win. "I don't know. But what I do know is he keeps coming through. We've talked about his mental approach to hitting, how he's a very smart guy when he steps in that batter's box. He knows what the pitcher's going to do, he knows what he's trying to do. And I think he's able to really focus well in those particular types of situations."

France's latest hit gave the Twins their 15th victory in their past 17 games. They were 13-20 before the hot streak, and now they are 28-22 as they look to secure another series win.

Royals right-hander Michael Wacha (3-4, 2.86 ERA) will try to hold the Twins at bay when he takes the mound Saturday afternoon. Wacha has walked 16 batters and struck out 43 in 56 2/3 innings, and he is one victory shy of 105 in his career.

In his last start, Wacha limited the St. Louis Cardinals to one run on eight hits in five innings. He walked none and struck out six.

Wacha has faced the Twins eight times in his career. He is 5-1 with a 3.09 ERA in those contests, and he has struck out 44 batters in 46 2/3 innings.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Wacha is one of the top leaders on the team.

"Work ethic, drive, desire to be great, professionalism, steadiness -- I could go on and on with those kinds of characteristics, but that's it in a nutshell," Quatraro said.

The Royals' younger players have benefited from Wacha's leadership.

"They have no choice but to see it because it's right in front of their face in the clubhouse," Quatraro said.

The Twins will counter with right-hander Zebby Matthews (0-1, 12.00), who is set to make his second start of the season. Matthews gave up four runs on five hits in three innings in his season debut against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.

The 25-year-old Matthews is 1-5 with a 7.08 ERA in 10 career starts. He has made two starts against the Royals, and he is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in those outings.

Twins shortstop Carlos Correa will try to maintain a hot bat after homering in his return from injury in the series opener. Correa missed a week because of concussion-like symptoms, and he belted his third homer of the season in his return.

"Carlos looked really good at the plate all day long," Baldelli said. "Really great return for him on both sides of the ball."

--Field Level Media