Photo Credit: Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Final Score KCR 4 | TOR 1
Overall Record 18-13 (2nd in the AL Central, 2.5 GB)
Winning/Losing Pitcher
- W: Cole Ragans (2-2, 3.44 ERA)
- L: Jose Berrios (4-2, 1.44 ERA)
- SV: James McArthur (7, 2.63 ERA)
ROYALS PLAYER OF THE GAME
Cole Ragans: 6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 SO
It’s hard not to give the Player of the Game award to Royals ace Cole Ragans as he kept the Blue Jays at bay for nearly seven innings in this one. Ragans was electric, painting his 98 mph fastball on the corners and working his offspeed to get a ton of swing-and-miss. Two of his three walks came in the 7th inning when he walked two straight batters with two outs. He looked visibly frustrated he couldn’t get through the seventh. Ragans also walked out of the game with the trainer, but it seems like it was nothing minor, as the Royals reported it was a left calf cramp. It was an incredible start and another reason you fell in love with Ragans.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
They got things started quickly for a Royals offense that has been struggling to produce early. Michael Massey hit a two-run home run in the top of the second off Blue Jays starter Jose Berrios for his first home run of the year.. That early lead was enough for Cole Ragans to keep cruising. The Royals got much-needed insurance for the bullpen with back-to-back RBI doubles in the top of the 8th from Bobby Witt, Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino. As expected, John Schreiber was incredible out of the bullpen again. He went an inning and a third, striking out one and giving up no hits. James McArthur came into the ninth for the save and pitched a clean ninth while striking out one.
SUMMARY OF THE NEXT GAME
The Royals play their final game against the Blue Jays at 2:07 CT and will look to take the series with a win in this three-game series tied at one apiece. RHP Seth Lugo (4-1, 1.66 ERA) toe the rubber against RHP Chris Bassitt (2-4, 5.66 ERA).
