Here are three thoughts following the Twins' loss to the Royals


BAD FIRST IMPRESSION: The Twins had a chance to send a message to the defending World Series champion Royals and blew it in a 4-3 loss. They took the lead on a Byung Ho Park homer but Kevin Jepsen is getting off to a rough start this season. He gave up two runs to let the Royals off the hook. Eddie Rosario, in as a defensive replacement, missed making a diving catch that led to a RBI triple - a play that he should have pulled up on. Can't make these mistakes against a good team like Kansas City or it will cost you. A wise coach once said: ``The Royals are who we thought they were." Well, they hung in, waited for the Twins to slip up and pounced. The Twins were 7-12 against the Royals last season, but 11 of those games were won by two or fewer runs. The little things count between these teams. ``I feel the thing with the Royals they last few years is that they grind," Jepsen said. ``The first inning through the ninth inning, it doesn't matter if they are up nine or if they are down nine. They don't give bats away. Some teams they will go up there and take and try and hit homers. This team grinds. Base hit, doesn't matter. They are just trying to get a base hit any way."

ROSARIO-SANO SWITCH: Fans want Paul Molitor's head on a platter for pulling Miguel Sano for a defensive replacement after the Twins took a 3-2 lead in the eighth inning. The Twins gave up the lead, and Sano's turn came up in the ninth inning with the tying run at second. Eddie Rosario, who had replaced Sano, struck out to end the game. ``We went ahead and made the defensive switch there, which is always a little risky," Molitor said. ``Taking Miguel out of the game...but with a lead and six outs to go in a big outfield, I thought it was the right thing to do." I think fans need to prepare themselves to see Sano pulled from games late for defense. But I also think it should not be a push button move for Molitor to make. Friday night might have been a night to leave Sano out there. By the way, I spoke with a scout for a team that was in the playoffs last year. He watched Sano in Baltimore and didn't think he looked that bad.

SOMETHING UNNOTICED: Brian Dozier did all he could to get the Twins back in the game in the ninth. He worked Wade Davis for a walk after a 10-pitch at-bat. Then, with the count 2-1 to Danny Santana, he took off and stole second base. Heads up move there to get into scoring position. The inning fell apart after that, but Dozier stepped up late.