Final Score: BAL 4 | KC 9

Overall Record: 13-7

Winning/Losing Pitcher

• W: Alec Marsh (2-0 | 3.22 ERA)
• L: Dean Kremer (1-1 | 4.91 ERA)

Royals Player of the Game

MJ Melendez

2-4, HR(4), 4 RBI

On a day where “Player of The Game” could go a couple of different ways, I have to give it to MJ Melendez for putting the nail in the coffin. After getting through a slump on the road where he couldn’t muster a hit, he came up clutch for the Royals on Friday. He started with an RBI single to get the five-run bottom of the 6th started, and after Adley Rutschman hit a grand slam to cut the deficit to two, MJ sealed it in the 7th. With an absolute rocket off the bat, he almost made it to the fountains before excited Royals fans tracked it down. This was a very monumental moment for MJ, in my opinion. In the past, we have seen him trying to overcompensate in those high pressure situations, but in 2024 he’s been excellent. He could have easily continued to over swing to try and get results since he was slumping coming into the series. But he showed that apparently MJ at Home is a whole new level. 

Key Highlights

On a night where Alec Marsh truly did a great job of working out of some situations, most of the action came after he was already done. But let’s give credit where it’s due, Marsh looked really solid tonight. This is now his second scoreless outing against the Orioles offense that has some really dangerous hitters. He was able to go 5.2 innings tonight before manager, Matt Quatraro,  pulled him for John Schrieber in the 6th. Now let’s get to the action. After two outs, they make a pitching change to get a left on left matchup. So now there’s two on for MJ Melendez. Who singles, and then they start to break it open. Nelson Velazquez walks, then Michael Massey steps up to the plate in his Royals return. He singles as well, keeping the line moving until Hunter Renfroe hits it in the gap and two more score. Total of a five run inning for the Royals in their half of the 6th. It then is followed by a Will Smith appearance, and he almost pulled the rabbit out of hat. Striking out Gunnar Henderson with the bases loaded, bringing them to their last out of the inning. Then big Adley Rutschman comes in. Smith rears back and throws Adley a 92 mph fastball right into his bat path. Grand Slam.

Here’s the crazy thing about this: last year, we would have freaked out if the lead was cut to two. Thinking that the bullpen wouldn’t be able to hold down the fort. But this year the offense has occasionally been able to combat that a lot in the later innings, and we see it work magic here. They started a little rally right after that, and then MJ struck. Hitting a ball into the stratosphere, almost into the fountains in right center field. Ninth comes around and Matt Sauer closes the door on the O’s, and the Royals take game one of the series. 

It was very important for the Royals to get off to a good start here. This is one of the better teams in the entire MLB, and if you think about it, you match up pretty well with them. Of course you can say they have more depth, but the 2024 Royals actually tend to resemble the 2023 Orioles, Adam Frazier and all. So it’ll be quite thrilling to watch these two squads go at it the rest of the weekend. 

Summary of the Next Game

The Royals try for 10 wins in a row at The K, as it’s a battle between a former Cy Young winner and a potential future winner, with Corbin Burnes towing the slab for the O’s and Cole Ragans for KC. The first time we got this matchup in Baltimore, we had a massive rain delay, but pitchers were able to both put up really solid starts. Two of the best starters in the American League are going up against each other, it’s gonna be a blast. Kauffman Stadium at 6:10 on Saturday, get out there if you can! This team is fun to watch. 

Image Credit: Charlie Riedel, Associated Press