Opponents are hitting Jhoan Duran, Twins think it's a matter of execution

Called to the mound to lock down a victory over division rival Kansas City at Target Field on Tuesday, Jhoan Duran was greeted by a double off the scoreboard in right-center by Royals catcher Salvador Perez. “Really,” Duran said afterward, “I don't know how he touched the pitch.” Perez is one baseball's hottest hitters right now — and one of the best at clobbering pitches out of the zone — but he hasn't been alone. Dairon Blanco pinch ran and was thrown out trying to steal second for the first out, and Duran fanned MJ Melendez for the second before Nick Loftin grounded back to the mound for the final out in a 4-2 victory.