Final Score: CLE 2 | KC 6

Overall Record: 47-39

Winning/Losing Pitcher

• W: Seth Lugo (11-2 | 2.17 ERA)
• L: Logan Allen (8-4 | 5.75 ERA)

Royals Player of the Game

Seth Lugo 

6.0 IP, 0 R, 4 H, BB, 10 Ks

I had the pleasure of watching this performance from right behind the visitors on deck circle, and I’ll tell you: Chef Lugo had it cooking all day long. The Guardians didn’t know what was coming, the curveball was unhittable, the slurve they couldn’t see, and the sinker was in full effect all day as well. Leaving these hitters guessing how they got into this situation. His pitch mix all day long is truly the reason why he was so good. Usually Lugo is the type of guy that will fool you, get you to ground into something you shouldn’t, or just miss a pitch for a flyout. 

Today, he was striking fools out. He had ten on the day, and continued to confuse everyone that got in the batter’s box. Even the hits from the Guardians off Lugo were late, way too early, or sneakily found a way. Lugo even added to his major league leading innings total. Lugo has been more that advertised, and honestly, one of the most strategic starting pitchers in the game. 

Oh yeah, and the other categories Lugo is leading the majors in? Wins and ERA. Seems like he should be a starter, right? I’m glad the Royals were able to grab him this year, because without him, who knows where they’d be. ( I didn’t think I would ever write that in my life.)

Key Highlights

This one was pretty quiet from an offensive perspective for the Guardians. So outside of their two runs off Sam Long in the seventh, they couldn’t get much else going. And even then it was Jose Ramirez, and if he’s the one that beats you, that’s okay he’s beat everyone this year. So, let’s turn to the boys in blue: After a RBI fielder’s choice by Salvador Perez in the first, Freddy Fermin and Garrett Hampson swapped spaces with back to back doubles in the second. Now it’s the fifth, and after a Dairon Blanco bunt single, sac bunt by Maikel Garcia, and a steal of third by Blanco, it brings Bobby Witt Jr. to the plate with one away. And Bobby continues his stellar day, with his third hit of the game up the left field line for an RBI. The most miraculous part about it? A TRIPLE. With Bob making it to third in 11.09 seconds. 

Read that again, he went home to third in eleven seconds. I can’t even go from bed to toilet in that amount of time. A remarkable athlete, an electric sensation. Bobby Witt Jr. can do it all! Vinnie Pasquantino then gets in on the RBI action, with his seventh straight game with an RBI on a single to right. While Lugo was dealing, Salvador Perez added another padding to lead. Launching a two-run blast in the seventh to make it a 6-0 game. 

Good for Salvy too, who needed to get something to go right for him after quite an atrocious month at the plate. Add Will Smith and James McArthur having scoreless outings out of the ‘pen, and you have a series victory for the Royals over a foe at the top of their division. At the beginning of the series, everyone was talking the importance of winning this series to at least keep afloat for a shot at the division moving forward, and the Royals did that. Taking three of four from the division leaders, and keeping themselves in the playoff hunt. This should be an exciting season from now on, and I can’t wait to see how it plays out.

Summary of the Next Game

The Royals will have a day off to recover, but Tuesday they will continue the homestand in KC against the pesky Tampa Bay Rays. Brady Singer will head to the mound for the Royals who was excellent in his last start against the Marlins, only giving up one run throughout his whole seven and a third inning start. He’s been pitching incredibly well of late, lowering that ERA down to 3.12, which for a third starter is fantastic. The Rays will send out Zack Littell who’s struggled a bit this year, but has very respectable numbers, given he hasn’t had a lot of help. He has a 4.17 ERA this season, but is averaging more than five innings a start. So that’s something to take a look at from this perspective. Let’s hope the Royals can continue what they’ve been cooking of late. The calendar changing to July will hopefully be a clean slate for this team that struggled through the beginning of June. Tuesday at 7:10 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. Get your tickets now, the ballpark is a blast when it’s full.