Final Score: CHI 3 | KC 4
Overall Record: 59-49
Winning/Losing Pitcher:
- W: Michael Wacha (8-6, 3.58 ERA)
- L: Fraser Ellard (0-1, 54.00 ERA)
- S: Sam Long (1, 2.35 ERA)
Royals Player(s) of the Game
Vinnie Pasquantino
1-for-4, 2-RBI single in the eigth
The Royals’ offense was lackluster for most of the game until the eighth inning. Bobby Witt Jr singled to drive in Maikel Garcia, and then Vinnie came up to the plate. He would hit a single to left that would drive in Dairon Blanco, who pinch ran for Freddy Fermin, and Bobby, who scored from first on the single. Vinnie would be thrown out at second but it gave the Royals the lead and some insurance for the rest of the game.
Michael Wacha
7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 5 K, 2 BB
Wacha continues a strong stretch of play that spans a month or so of games. On May 4, he had a 5.50 ERA but has slowly whittled away at it. After his fractured foot, he has been great and now has an ERA of 3.58. Wacha started somewhat slow this year but has rebounded from his injury by not having a start allowing more than three earned runs since May 4.
Key Highlights
The offense was pretty slow starting in this one, but Michael Massey got the Royals on the board with a solo shot in the third. Massey has been hitting leadoff and has done a solid job working counts and providing some power. Bobby got another hit and walk continuing to be scorching in July. Hunter Renfroe continues his hot stretch with two walks and a hit. The offense had a decent amount of opportunities to score but just never did.
The pitching was good, for the most part, in this one. Wacha shoved again, but Hunter Harvey gave up a run in his inning of work. He threw a good amount of strikes but just gave up some good contact while getting two strikeouts. With James McArthur resting, since he pitched in back-to-back games, Sam Long got the closing opportunity. He would shine in that role in this one. Long had a clean inning with two strikeouts to notch his first save of the year.
Summary of the Next Game
The Royals look for the sweep of the White Sox to continue to stay in the third wildcard spot. The Royals will send Brady Singer (7-6, 2.82 ERA) to continue his 14 inning scoreless stretch. The White Sox will send out Drew Thorpe (3-2, 4.81 ERA) who is coming off a terrible start against the Mariners, but did have six scoreless against the Royals on July 21.
Photo Credit: LM Otero, AP Photo
