(Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images)
Record: 8-13
Winning/Losing Pitcher:
W: Jackson Jobe (2-0 | 2.70 ERA)
L: Cole Ragans (1-1 | 3.58 ERA)
S: Tommy Kahnle (4 | 1.17 ERA)
Key Highlights
I thought for once, the Royals offense had come out of their shell and were back on track in the hitting department. Because the way this one started out on Friday night. Bobby Witt Jr. doubled, to which Vinnie Pasquantino was able to drive one up the right field line to give Cole Ragans a 1-0 lead to start the game. What more could you ask for? Of course, hopefully you could score just one more run but you couldn’t muster that. But we’ll take it, headed into the bottom half. It isn’t until the second inning where Ragans throws a wild pitch, that he allows Tomas Nido to tie the game with an RBI single. Take us to the fourth, where Ragans is still not pitching bad. He unfortunately leaves one over the middle to Andy Ibanez who deposits it into the left field bullpen and the Tigers take the lead 2-1.
Quick note, Bob is the best young player in all of baseball and is so spectacular at everything he does. Everyone knows this, but he cannot do everything himself. He is getting in scoring position, stealing bases, hitting extra base hits. But he can’t drive himself home. At the end of the day we gotta have more production out of everyone not named Bobby Witt Jr. So it isn’t until the offense stalls out once again in the top of inning, that it gets ugly in the bottom half. First he starts the inning with, what our friend Denny Matthews says always kills you, the leadoff walk. A single here, an RBI single there to Riley Greene, and we suddenly have a limited outing from Ragans this time out. John Schrieber allows Trey Sweeney to hit a single off him, allowing another run to score. Then trades a run for two outs to make it 5-1, and finally retires the last batter.
The Royals offense continues to have nothing go right for them. On the night they left 14 on base, and only went 2-13 with runners in scoring position. With one of those hits, let’s be honest, being in a “garbage time” situation. I don’t think it matters if you’re getting one more hit to make it 7-2, that has 0 impact on the game. And you couldn’t come through when you were handed another opportunity break out of the slump batter later with the bases loaded. It was just ugly in this one.
What looked even worse on the night? Lucas Erceg was removed after getting hit by a 109.1 mph liner off his foot. It is said that he has a foot contusion and they’re monitoring it day to day. Team officials did say “We got really lucky” in reference to the event though, so it seems we avoided an injury that would sideline him significantly.
This one ended 7-3, with the Royals leaving the bases loaded. Surprise! No one expected that I’m sure. Five loses in a row is never good, but against these squads it has not been ideal. Hopefully they can turn it around and take at least a game and fingers crossed, a split in this series.
Summary of Next Game
,The Royals continue their series in Detroit as Seth Lugo will try to stop the skid for a ball club that desperately needs it. The Tigers will send out the former number one overall pick, Casey Mize, who has really started the season out strong. Mize has a 2.60 ERA in his three starts so far this year going 5.2 IP or further in each start as well. Not good for a Royals offense looking to break out, but they have hit him up before. Mize has a career 5.32 ERA against the Royals, including his second to last start giving up 6 earned runs up to KC. I’m trying to cling on to anything here. So come on, let’s believe in the boys. While Seth Lugo will finally be happy to be out of the pillbox that is, Yankee Stadium, I’m looking forward to what he’ll bring this time to bounce-back. I expect him to be way better this time out. It’s a 12:10p start on Saturday! An early game for the boys, who need to get the offense started early to end this nasty streak.
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