Game one of a day-night doubleheader ended up sadly predictable. The Royals' Jonathan Sanchez was inefficient and ineffective. Twins' starter Scott Diamond was effective and efficient and the Twins cruised to a 7-2 win.

By the time Kansas City picked up its second hit of the game (in the sixth inning), they already trailed by six runs. It was a faily dismal effort all around by the Royals, highlighted only by a couple of nice defensive plays for outs at the plate.

There was brief hope in the 8th inning, when Yuniesky Betancourt drove in Jason Bourgeois to narrow the gap to 6-2 with one out and two on. Mike Moustakas struck out on four straight Diamond change-ups and Billy Butler whiffed with the count full, ending what few faint hopes remained for the Royals.

In the end, not a lot positive to say. Alex Gordon and Eric Hosmer each had two hits and the Yunigma drove in two more runs (adding fuel to the invalidity of RBI being any sort of substantial stat). There was a lot of talk about the number of hard hit balls by the Royals that were right at a Twin defender (and there were more than a few), but the Royals were impatient at the plate all day which allowed Diamond to get through eight innings and save the Minnesota pen for the night portion of this doubleheader.

Sanchez was horrific: ten hits, six walks and six runs in four plus innings in 101 agonizing pitches. I can't believe anyone on the Royals likes to play behind Sanchez and find it hard to believe that anyone of any authority within the Royals likes to watch him pitch ineffectively and generally without giving a crap.

Shouldn't that story line be coming to an end? Soon? Please!

The good news is that it is generally thought that sweeping a double-header is difficult. Perhaps 'good Luke' will take the mound once more for Kansas City this evening.