Final Score: CLE 1 | KC 6

Overall Record: 75-58

Winning/Losing Pitcher:

• W: James McArthur (5-5, 4.36 ERA)
• L: Gavin Williams (2-7, 4.99 ERA)

Royals Player(s) of the Game

Paul DeJong

1-for-2, two-run HR

The dog days of summer have turned into the “Dong Days of DeJong” as Paul DeJong continues to be one of the more sneaky pickups at the trade deadline for the Royals. This home run would be his 23 one on the year and fifth as a Royal. It would be the game-winning run and it was hit early in the game off of Gavin Williams in the second inning.

The Bullpen

7.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 7 K, 1 BB

With the sudden injury of Michael Lorenzen in the second inning the Royals bullpen had to get ready early in this one. Carlos Hernandez would go the longest with 2.1 IP giving up the only run and walk while getting two strikeouts. James McArthur would follow and throw two innings and strike out four batters. Then John Schreiber, Sam Long, and Chris Stratton would also shut down the Guardians offense.

Key Highlights

The offense got the damage done early and late in this game. Starting with DeJong’s homer, the Royals would go cold until the seventh inning. After a lengthy rain delay, the bats seemed to wake up. While still up 2-1, Maikel Garcia would single in a run then Adam Frazier would score on a wild pitch and Michael Massey drove in another in the seventh inning. Freddy Fermin would add another run in the ninth to end the scoring.

A majority of the pitching would be done by the bullpen tonight as Michael Lorenzen went down early with an injury. Lorenzen has been another under-the-radar trade acquisition as he has an ERA below 2.00 in four starts with the Royals. He left with a left hamstring strain and could be on the injured list depending on severity.

Summary of the Next Game

With a win over the Guardians, the Royals are now tied for first in the AL Central with a chance to take the division lead in the finale. In the biggest game of the year, the Royals will send out Michael Wacha (11-6, 3.32 ERA) who has been great since late June. The Guardians will counter with Tanner Bibee (10-6, 3.46 ERA) in hopes of holding on to the division lead.