Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Final Score CWS 1 | KCR 10
Overall Record 3-4
Winning/Losing Pitcher
- W: Seth Lugo (1-0)
- L: Mike Soroka (0-1)
Royals Player of the Game
Nelson Velazquez, 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR
It was hard to pick an MVP in this one, as MJ Melendez was white hot at the plate and Seth Lugo pitched a gem as well. But I had to go with Nelson Velazquez because he produced when the Royals needed it the most. In the bottom of the second, he gave the Royals a 1-0 lead on a hard-hit single. He then came up big with a home run at the bottom of the fourth to extend the Royals’ lead even further. Velazquez isn’t letting a slow spring training get the best of him. He’s been on quite a tear starting the season, and you can see why the Royals believe in him as the DH. He’ll look to continue the streak the rest of the week.
Key Highlights
Outside of Nelson Velazquez, there were a couple of other incredible performances in the Royals’ 10-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Offensively, everyone seemed to be hitting, especially when the bullpen came into the game for the White Sox. Bobby Witt, Jr. was smoking balls all over the field, reaching 110 mph+ exit velos with ease. MJ Melendez showed up early with a double and late with a massive two-run home run to cap off the Royals 10 runs. It was an impressive day at the plate for the Royals hitters.
On the mound, Seth Lugo pitched yet another gem. The Royals starting rotation keeps stringing together quality starts, and it is beautiful to see after experiencing the rotation in 2023. His final line was 6.2 innings while allowing just one earned run over eight hits and striking out three. Luckily, the Royals scored enough runs that they didn’t have to rely on the bullpen to notch a save, but they got two good performances from right-handers Matt Sauer and Jordan Lyles.
Summary of the Next Game
The Royals will look to continue their streak of quality starts as Brady Singer takes the mound against the White Sox. He will go toe-to-toe with Erick Fedde, who the White Sox signed after he pitched a year in Korean Baseball Organization (KBO), winning him the MVP. Singer will look to build on his incredible seven-inning, ten-strikeout performance he had against the Minnesota Twins. Everything was working for Singer in that game.
