The Redemption of Royce Lewis

I went to a Twins game back in early June. First one I ever attended at Target Field and first one in probably 20 years. The game was scheduled to be a Royce Lewis shirt give away. The problem was Lewis was sent down to AAA a few weeks before after having a rather lackluster spring. The day before the game, Lewis was still on the St. Paul roster. He actually had been playing fairly well at the cross town minor league affiliate, St. Paul Saints.

Eventually, the June 6th game turned into a Byron Buxton shirt give away. However, that also became a problem since Buxton landed on the injury list. Lewis was recalled that day while the Saints were going ahead with a Royce Lewis shirt promotion.  

So I go the game and get a Buxton shirt, not see Buxton play- Kreidler took his spot in center and Royce Lewis played 2nd and 1st. I saw Joe Ryan have an average outing, Bobby Witt Jr break some record, and West Fargo native Matt Strahm give up a homer to the now DFA'd Orlando Arcia. I expected to see a Royce Lewis redemption arc unfold.

It did not transpire.

Lewis had the chance in the 9th to smack a long ball with 2 on to wrestle the victory away from the lowly Royals. But like Casey, he struck out. We shrugged, took the T-shirt (son forgot his under his seat), and boarded the train to go home. 

A month and change later the Royals are back in Minneapolis on a sweltering evening. I am under the heat behind on the first base line watching my hometown team the Redhawks scrap it out with the Lincoln Saltdogs. The Redhawks seemed to work well with their back against the wall. Most of their offense came after they already had 2 outs. The Hawks came up short that evening losing 5-3. 

Meanwhile down in Minneapolis, Taj Bradley threw well but the Twins were still down. Buxton exits mid-game because of an injury. The line up adjusts and Royce Lewis is thrown in at 2nd. Bottom of the 9th and we have a similar scenario. 2 on and 2 out and Twins down 1. Royce Lewis is up to the plate.  With the count 1-1, he wallops the pitch out to right center field where it hits the fence. 2 runs score as Lewis makes it to third to win the game - 3-2.

Redemption at last.

Needless, Lewis has been playing better since returning. Probably not at the level many would expect a first round draft pick to play but his recent form has helped lift a Twins team that had little in expectation for this season.