Final Score: KC 8 | PIT 3

Overall Record: 81-67

Winning/Losing Pitcher

• W: Alec Marsh (8-8 | 4.52 ERA)
• L: Luis L. Ortiz (6-6 | 3.45 ERA)

Royals Player of the Game

Kyle Isbel

2-4, HR (8), 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R

You know what? We’re gonna give this man his flowers when he has a good game. In a rout of Pittsburgh, we’ll give Isbel the player of the game as an appreciation for what he does that not everyone will realize. And also, he had a good game at the plate. First we’ll talk about the 10 pitch double that he pulled off in the six-run top of the second. A really gritty at bat, as he kept the line moving and continued a huge inning. A beautiful swing as well, pulling it right over the first baseman’s head and up the line. Then followed that at bat up with a bomb in the bleachers in right field. Just attacking the first pitch from Luis Ortiz. A big reason is why his night was so huge. That made it a 7-0 lead at point, and it was basically game from there. You totally can make the case that Salvador Perez should be here, but when Kyle Isbel has an equally impressive night, it stands out way more in my book. And Isbel deserves to be shouted out, he balled out in Pittsburgh on Friday night.

Key Highlights

Early on, the story in this one was Alec Marsh going out there and dealing. My goodness, Marsh started this one out by striking out the side in the first inning. At the end of four, he had struck out seven already, and he continued to deal. 

He ended up going 5.1 innings, and although that might not seem like a lot, he struck out a total of 11 in the process. Tying a career high for the rookie right hander. It really was the Royals offense that put this one away, and all in the second inning. It was a six-run column, where nearly everyone contributed in some way. This Royals team has some crazy ways to win man, and it honestly is going to pay off down the stretch. Because at the end of the day, all that matters is that you’re winning. But the offensive explosion in the second started off with Robbie Grossman of course. That’s how all the offense is scored. All jokes aside, Adam Frazier then reached on an error and Yuli Gurriel singles in a run. Adding another RBI single to this Royal resume, and coming through in another big spot. That’s what I mean by “winning this way”, if KC can continue to get contributions from crazy places this team is extremely dangerous. On the other hand here, you expect those veterans to come through in those spots so I’m happy to take RBI from Yuli Gurriel. The aforementioned Kyle Isbel 10 pitch RBI double happens here. Then the legend of Tommy Pham continues, with a hard hit 2-run single. 

He just keeps on keeping on here in a Royals uniform. Making himself a staple every day in that lineup. When he’s playing for something and has his eyes on the prize, he is proving to be a key contributor and the leadoff hitter the Royals always needed. The exclamation point to the end of the inning was none other than Salvador Perez hitting his 27th Home Run of the season to stretch the lead to six. 

Salvy just is seemingly getting better with age. We know he’s always been a streaky hitter, so it’s good he’s getting hot now that Bobby Witt Jr. is coming back down to earth. There really is nothing that can describe the importance of Salvador Perez to this team. His leadership, gamesmanship, and infectious energy lead him to be El Capitan.  Because of his crazy hot start, I don’t think people are really giving him the proper respect he deserves here. He is still the best offensive catcher in the game right now and it’s not particularly close. To be at the age he’s at and still having this type of season as well? Legendary stuff. For real, not like the Tommy Pham legend. Anyway, the six run second is virtually how it gets done, and Isbel hits the homer in the fourth. Another cool story for tonight is Adam Frazier homering in his trip back to Pittsburgh. 

It was his only hit of the night, but a cool moment for the veteran who goes back to a team where he made his only all star appearance for. Pittsburgh gets a run off Alec Marsh in the sixth, and a couple garbage time runs in the ninth off Chris Stratton. But that’s all the offense from the Pirates on the night. A tip of the cap to Carlos Hernandez and Daniel Lynch who each have 1.1 innings on the night before Stratton had his moment in the ninth. A good way to end a Friday night for the Royals, as they get back in the win column after the series in New York. 

Summary of the Next Game

The Royals will try to maintain the motivation on to the next. As they continue their matchup against the Pirates from the Allegheny. Pittsburgh will trot out Mitch Keller, one of the better starters for Pittsburgh the whole season. He’s been solid for them all year long, with a 3.85 ERA. Struggling a bit as of late though. With 4 of his last 5 starts really not being that great, and one he blew up and gave eight earned. Hopefully the Royals can feast on a pitcher at the end of a upsetting season for the team. It’s important to beat up on the teams that are *basically* out of contention and don’t have anything to play for. But knowing Kansas City’s luck, they won’t score until the bullpen, but I hope that doesn’t happen. Royals will send out probably their most consistent starter as of late, Michael Wacha, to try and take this game on a Saturday afternoon. Last time out he was marvelous, seven shutout innings in route to his 12th win on the season. Truly being the backbone of this rotation that seemingly no one is talking about. I think when we get to the Postseason, Michael Wacha will earn his flowers. You heard it here first folks, but first, the Pirates on Saturday. A 12:05p first pitch, in an important game for the Royals to continue their postseason chase. It’s still a tight race for the division and the rest of the wildcard spots, so we’ll see how it continues!

Photo Credit: Gene J. Puskar, ASSOCIATED PRESS