Image Credit: AP Photo / Charlie Riedel
Final Score: KC 4 | MIN 1
Overall Record: 66-55
Winning/Losing Pitcher
W: Cole Ragans ( 9-7 | 3.18 ERA)
L: Louie Varland ( 0-4 | 6.14 ERA)
S: Lucas Erceg (5)
Royals Players of the Game
Cole Ragans: 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 8 K, 0 BB
The Royals starting pitching had cooled down a bit after a tremendous first half, but Ragans provided hope that the dip was just a rough patch and not a trend. He collected his 16th game of seven or more strikeouts this season and his eight today moves him up to fourth in the league for total strikeouts. While the rest of the starting rotation has be down, he has given up just four runs in his three starts in August and has lowered his ERA to just 3.18 on the season. He has lost just one game since July and shows no sign of slowing down.
Paul DeJong: 3-3, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 BB
DeJong has had an up and down first couple of weeks with the Royals, which was probably to be expected given his .228 average when the trade was made. However, he is capable of giving the offense a jolt of energy at any given time. Today was one of those days. His double in the second inning led to the first run of the game and he provided an insurance run in the sixth with a solo homerun. Whether he turns into a starter down the stretch or is used more as a rest day substitute and pinch hitter, his value comes from days like today.
Other Highlights
Three other Royals collected multiple hits, including Adam Frazier’s three base knocks in the leadoff spot. If you’re reading this, I’m sure you know how much of a pain the leadoff position has been for the Royals. I’m not saying Frazier will be a .300 hitter the rest of the year and be our leadoff hitter down the stretch, but at any sort of bright spot in front of Bobby Witt Jr is worth mentioning. Speaking of Witt, he and Freddy Fermin were the other Royals with multiple hits. Witt raised his average up to .349, while Fermin got himself back above the .300 mark.
Summary of the Next Game
The Royals are off on Thursday before heading to Cincinnati for a three-game series with the Reds. Michael Lorenzen will start the first game and will face his former team as the Royals continue to chase the Twins and Guardians in the standings.