Final Score: LAA 9 | KC 5
Overall Record: 70-56
Winning/Losing Pitcher:
- W: Tyler Anderson (10-11, 3.46 ERA)
- L: Cole Ragans (10-8, 3.31 ERA)
Royals Player of the Game
Vinnie Pasquantino
2-for-3, 1 2B, 3 RBI
Vinnie is back to scorching hot after a stretch of games without a hit. In the last five games, Vinnie now has four multi hit games and 10 RBIs. He is almost to the 100 RBI total with 95 on the year. In this game, he lead off the Royals scoring with an RBI double. Later in the match when the Royals were trying to claw back into it, Vinnie gave them a 2-RBI single to make it 7-5. If the Royals are going to try to contend for the AL Central Division Vinnie is a guy that will help if he is hot at the plate.
Key Highlights
The offense played well in this one, but couldn’t get over the pitching. Outside of Vinnie, Bobby Witt Jr went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Hunter Renfroe and Freddy Fermin had 2-hit games, and the Royals had 12 hits. The bane of the Royals night would’ve been the three double plays they hit into which didn’t help out a comeback attempt.
The pitching was the issue in this one. Cole Ragans was doing good until he was sent out in the sixth inning. He would give up a home run, a walk, and a hit by pitch before James McArthur replaced him. Then McArthur gave up all the inherited runners leading to the Angels lead. Chris Stratton would also have a bad night giving up two runs. Angel Zerpa would have a solid outing and Will Smith had a bad one. The Royals bullpen continues to blow games and be suspect at best.
Summary of the Next Game
In the series finale, both teams are looking to take the series. With the Royals needing wins, they send out Michael Lorenzen (6-6, 3.68 ERA) who looks to build off a solid start with the Royals. The Angels will send out former Royals legend Johnny Cueto (0-0, 0.00 ERA) who will be making his season debut.
Photo Credit: LM Otero, AP Photo
