Casey Mize is KC’s Demise, Royals lose 3-1

w: Casey Mize (3-1 | 2.22 ERA)
L: Seth Lugo (1-3 | 3.98 ERA)
S: Will Vest (1 | 1.00 ERA)

The Royals didn’t hit well and their pitching was good until it wasn’t. It was that kind of game again.

Actually, Lugo’s start was interesting. At first, he showed more of the inconsistent command he’s had throughout the year, but he was not only able to work through it, he outright overcame it and started getting quick outs as his start went along. Ultimately, he was able to match his previous outing for his longest of the season so far, 6.2 innings on 97 pitches. Unfortunately, a mistake pitch to Spencer Torkelson ended up being the difference between the outing coming with 3 runs or 0.

As for the hitters, it was the same story for the most part. Jonathan India had a 3-hit game while Bobby had one of his own. Freddy Fermin had a two-hit game and Drew Waters drew two walks, but everybody else was unproductive. The Royals only struck out three times in this game, so they were continuously putting the ball in play, but nine of their outs came by way of flyouts or pop outs, only a couple of them having any chance of being hits. This is on top of being especially unproductive with runners in scoring position; Royals hitters went 1-for-6 in such occasions. Ironically, their only run didn’t come from that one hit with runners in scoring position, it was from a Freddy Fermin solo home run.

Fermin batted 8th behind Waters and they were a promising duo today. In the 9th inning, Waters drew a 10-pitch walk, stole a base (largely due to defensive indifference) and Fermin was able to secure an infield hit when shortstop Trey Sweeney made a hesitant play. The two were the Royals’ last stand with two outs in the inning, only for Kyle Isbel to pop out on the first pitch immediately after.

The Royals’ next game is tomorrow, Sunday, April 20 at 12:10 PM. The Royals’ right-handed Michael Wacha will take the start while Detroit will be sending out the reigning Cy Young winner, Tarik Skubal. Detroit has won the first three games of the series.

 Image credit: Rick Osentoski (USA TODAY Sports)