Final Score: CLE 12 | KC 13
Overall Spring Record: 7-3
Key Highlights
Maikel Garcia being a leadoff hitter: The odds-on favorite to be the leadoff man on Opening Day, Maikel showed off his talents today. He went 1-1 with a two RBI double in the second inning alongside two walks during the day. With the on-base ability and signs of hitting for more power, Garcia could be in for a big breakout this year.
Nate Eaton’s big day: Eaton put on a show after replacing Garcia at the top of the fourth. He kicked off his day by scoring a run on Vinnie Pasquantino’s double, then hitting a triple, leading to another Vinnie RBI. To put a candle on this high-scoring affair, Eaton drilled a 2-run home run over the left field fence to put the Royals up one in the ninth. Nate has shown a bit of pop early in Spring with two homeruns now, but is a long shot to make the MLB roster.
Offense slugging through it: In a surprising development, the Royals hit for power now. The team smacked six doubles, a triple and a home run, which lead to the offensive outburst. Overall, the team had 27 total bases on the day and got hits from 14 of the 17 hitters who registered an at-bat.
Homeruns bite pitching: Seth Lugo had a rough outing, giving up five earned runs and walking two in 2.1 innings pitch. The worst part of it is the three home runs he gave up. He wasn’t the only pitcher to get roughed up either, as Dan Altavilla gave up five earned runs and another home run. In total, Royals pitching gave up five home runs on the day.
Overall, pitching was good: Outside of the last point, the pitching was good for the Royals. Outside of Lugo and Altavilla, only one other pitcher gave up runs: Chandler Champlain. The bullpen saw three arms strikeout two hitters and get three scoreless innings. Those pitchers were Will Smith, Sam Long, and Will Klein. Evan Sisk closed things out, giving up a hit and K’ing one hitter.
Other Notable Performances
Vinnie Pasquantino: 1 for 3, 2-run double and BB
Dairon Blanco: 2 for 3, run scored.
Devin Mann: 1 for 1, BB
Peyton Wilson: 1 for 2, 2 runs scored.
Next up for the Royals
The Royals face off against the Cincinnati Reds in a full-squad matchup at 2:05 today. Michael Wacha is tabbed to get his second outing and the Reds will be sending out free agent acquisition Frankie Montas.
