Final Score: KC 8 | DET 0

Overall Record: 17-10

Winning/Losing Pitcher

• W: Seth Lugo (4-1 | 1.66 ERA)
• L: Reese Olsen (3-1 | 3.18 ERA)

Royals Player of the Game

Seth Lugo

7.0 IP, 0 R, 3 Ks, 2 BB

To put it simply. Seth Lugo shoved today. His pitches were checking all the boxes. The Tigers couldn’t get more than a couple balls past the outfield grass. And not to mention, Lugo’s stuff was on point the entire game. His career high nine strikeouts is definitely something to look at in this box score. Since he has been on this Royals’ pitching staff, Lugo has been excellent. Sporting a 1.66 ERA in his six games started and going at least 5.1 innings every time out. Adding to that number with a seven inning masterpiece today at Comerica Park. 

The curve he got Kerry Carpenter to strike out on to notch his ninth K was absolutely devastating. Carpenter knew exactly what pitch was coming, where it was, and how it was getting there. And he still couldn’t pick it up at all. Dude. That’s what Seth Lugo is. Or better, maybe even a Dawg.

Key Highlights

This one was pretty quiet in the beginning stages from an offensive perspective. The Tigers were struggling all day, as mentioned above. Reese Olsen also had a quality start. Limiting the Royals to only one run in seven innings of work. With that one run being a sacrifice fly hit off that bat of Bobby Witt Jr., scoring Frazier. Now headed to the bottom half of the third, and Adam Frazier struck (who thought we’d be saying that this year?).

I’ll be honest, I’ll say it. This is going to go down as one of best plays we’ll see out of a Royals’ defender this season. Also, one of the hype-est moments of the season so far. Adam Frazier is pumped after making that incredible play. And let’s take a moment to sit and enjoy this moment. An infielder, who’s playing in the outfield today, throws the runner at first out trying to get back. Just absolutely taking the breath out of the opponent. What a freaking play. We move on and action doesn’t get much better until John Schrieber comes in and puts down the batters in the eighth. That man has been something else this season. First starting out as a fireman who’s used in situations, and now coming out and giving this team some solid chances to win a game. Something extremely important for this team that’s young. That you win the games that you should win. It sounds simple, but this is what killed the Royals last year. And well, well, well look what our own Jared Perkins said about this:

Now we move to the ninth. Where the Royals put together one of their illustrious 2024 innings. Scoring seven with RBI from Adam Frazier and Kyle Isbel on hit by pitches, followed by a two RBI single from Maikel Garcia, who seems to be getting it started after a slump at the plate. And with the cherry on top, a two-run triple by Bobby Witt Jr, encapsulating a fantastic end of the inning and eventually the game. Thankfully an appearance from Will Smith was able to send us home happy. 

Summary of the Next Game

The series continues in Detroit, with a battle between the top arms in the 2018 draft. Brady Singer and Casey Mize will face off in game two of the series. With Singer wanting to bounce back after his tough start against Toronto on Monday. Where he gave up five runs over a respectable six innings pitched. The Tigers will try to bounce back with Casey Mize, who has had a good start to his season after having Tommy John surgery in 2022. The Royals will look to make it five wins in a row on Saturday night, as the NFL draft finishes up in Detroit.