Pelfrey picks up a big win in a big way with shutout over Royals

KANSAS CITY, MO. – For the first time in 20 months — 610 days, to be exact, Mike Pelfrey on Wednesday was able to talk about winning a baseball game.

A lot happened during that time. Rehabilitation following surgeries, lamenting missed opportunities, admitting that he hadn't earned his keep. Recently, he complained about being sent to the bullpen to start the season, suggesting it was time for him to leave for another organization.

He got another chance to start when Ervin Santana was banned for using illegal drugs. And, in his third start, it all came together as he led the Twins to a 3-0 victory over the Royals. Pelfrey threw seven shutout innings at the defending American League champs, pitching them tough inside and not caring that he plunked two batters. Boos rained down upon him from the stands after each hit batter. It didn't matter, as the three runs the Twins scored in the first inning held up for nine, making Pelfrey a winner for the first time since Aug. 20, 2013, when he beat the Tigers in Detroit.

"Starting off, I thought it was going to be another five [inning outing] and die," said Pelfrey, winless in 13 consecutive starts before Wednesday. "My command was terrible. About the fourth inning, my fastball command got better and my split started become effective and we were able to get on a roll."

He was coming off Tommy John surgery when he joined the Twins before the 2013 season. He needed season-ending surgery on June 10 last season to remove scar tissue that was putting pressure on his ulnar nerve. He began this season 5-16 as a Twin.

"Going into the offseason, it may have been a crossroads of my career on what I wanted to do," he said. "I busted my tail to come back. I wanted to be a starting pitcher, and it's not the way I envisioned it would work out. But I'm thankful to get this opportunity and I hope I can run with it."

It wasn't a masterpiece. He threw first-pitch strikes to only nine of the first 23 batters he faced. His defense helped him out by turning double plays in the second and third innings.

His biggest jam came in the fifth. He gave up one-out hits to Christian Colon and Alcides Escobar, then, with two out, hit Lorenzo Cain. But Pelfrey got Eric Hosmer to ground out to end the inning.

The Twins' runs came off Royals starter Jeremy Guthrie, who gave up six hits and walked six over five innings. Brian Dozier and Kennys Vargas had RBI singles, and Oswaldo Arcia was plunked with the bases loaded, forcing in the third run.

Casey Fien pitched the eighth and Glen Perkins the ninth for his third save. After the Twins played awful on Monday and blew a lead on Tuesday, they needed Pelfrey's performance to avoid getting swept.

"You appreciate a guy who toils to get his craft back," Twins manager Paul Molitor said, "and gets a little dividend here. It's a small one, but it's a step in the right direction."

Pelfrey lives in Wichita and had about 24 friends and family members in the stands. That included his wife, Angela, son, Chase, and daughters Madison and Avery. His parents, Stan and Anna Madden, were waiting for him outside the visitors' clubhouse after the game, and he came out with hugs for his mother.

"Sometimes it's hard calling her after games because she lets me have it," Pelfrey said.

Not this time.