Zebby Matthews had an impressive major league debut for the Minnesota Twins, pitching five strong innings to secure his first win against the Kansas City Royals. The Twins dominated the game, hitting Seth Lugo hard and handing him his toughest start of the season in a 13-3 victory on Tuesday night.

Matthews, a 24-year-old right-hander who began the season in Class A, demonstrated his talent by allowing only two runs on five hits with no walks and five strikeouts. His debut included a notable moment when he struck out All-Star Bobby Witt Jr., helping calm his nerves for the game.

The Twins’ offense was led by Matt Wallner, who scored three runs and had two hits, and Jose Miranda, who contributed three hits and two RBIs. Max Kepler and Kyle Farmer hit home runs off the bullpen, with Christian Vázquez also adding a homer to the mix.

Lugo, the All-Star right-hander for the Royals, struggled throughout the game and was charged with nine hits and a career-high-tying eight runs in one of his shortest starts of the season. The Twins capitalized on Lugo’s difficulties, providing strong support for the rookie pitcher Matthews.

Minnesota’s victory keeps them in contention for a wild-card spot, trailing AL Central leader Cleveland by 3½ games. The Royals, who fell six games back, are also in the mix for a playoff berth.

With solid defense and offensive support, Matthews showcased his talent on the mound, inducing routine groundballs and displaying excellent control. His performance impressed both teammates and opponents, with Royals catcher Salvador Perez acknowledging Matthews’ potential as a future star in the league.

The Twins’ recent dominance over the Royals at Target Field continued with this win, marking their 18th victory in the last 20 games against Kansas City at home. The team has been successful overall with a 7-2 record against the Royals this season.

In terms of injuries, Twins CF Byron Buxton was out of the lineup due to discomfort in his right hip, but an MRI revealed no serious issues. Looking ahead, LHP Cole Ragans will pitch for the Royals, while RHP Louie Varland is set to start for the Twins in the upcoming game.