Final Score: KC 2 | COL 4

Overall Record: 47-39

Winning/Losing Pitcher

• W: Viktor Vodnik (2-1 | 4.00 ERA)
• L: John Schrieber (3-3 | 4.46 ERA)
• S: Jalen Beeks (8 | 4.09 ERA)

Royals Player of the Game

Cole Ragans

7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 Ks

Cole Ragans brought the mojo for the boys tonight. Unfortunately, he couldn’t control a fan getting in the way of Dairon’s Blanco’s glove, which lead to his first run allowed. His manager Matt Quatraro went so far to say that whatever he’ll be told is a “bad explanation, because it was fan interference, and the system is broken if that’s how it is”. Some bad luck, because Ragans was the same pitcher that had the homer called that wasn’t a home run on Saturday. But, he was mostly spectacular tonight, confusing batters with that changeup that will just dive out of nowhere. He got into some trouble with some runners on base to start a few innings but he kept them in the game through seven strong. I don’t know why some would say this isn’t necessarily his best start, I would argue that you see the best out of your pitchers durings outings like this. You’re able to see their brain tick, see what goes well for them, see if some pitches aren’t at their best. But he was able to have 106 pitches of a great outing that continued to keep you in the game, until the bullpen had to give it up. Overall, bravo to Cole Ragans who keeps us in awe of what he’ll continue to do. 

Key Highlights

This one looked like the Royals were going to stack up the runs early, but were only able to get one. With Bobby Witt Jr lacing a double 109.7 mph off the bat to start the game hot. Salvador Perez then singled in Witt, making the score 1-0 before Cole Ragans even took the mound. 

But surprisingly, in Colorado we’ll be talking about the starting pitching in this one. Kyle Freeland and Cole Ragans were both battling, both going seven full innings of action. I’ll be honest, the first run by the Rockies tonight was a bit egregious. In the bittom of the third Michael Toglia flied one deep to left field where Darion Blanco was lining it up. He goes up to the wall, and looks like it goes off his glove and over the wall. After looking again, there is a fan that is reaching over the yellow line right over the edge of the left field wall. 

They even go into a review, and are taking a look at this play for a very long time. They come out and say that the call stands. Which is just ridiculous given the way Blanco was set up for the ball. He is directly under it, glove meeting the ball. Fan’s hand in glove…how this this not overturned. Anyway Ragans strikes out the next two batters and is still pissed about it. Ragans final line was really good, finishing with the aforementioned seven innings pitched, only allowing two runs, striking out eight in the process. On the other side, Kyle Freeland really took advantage of the inside part of the plate against the Royals tonight seemingly shutting down and grounding everything right to defenders. The Royals had a bit of an opportunity in the top of the eighth, having Kyle Isbel, pinch running for Vinnie Pasquantino, on second with one out. The Royals were unable to get anything going which is what stings them in the bottom half. John Schrieber comes in and loads the bases to start the inning, and Brenton Doyle driving in two on a ground rule double barely inside the right field line, and bounces over the wall. Making the score 4-2 Colorado in the final stages in this one. Schreiber strikes out a batter, and sets the stakes for Walter Pennington. Who makes his long awaited Major League debut in the city he grew up in. He strikes out his first batter and then gets out of the inning stranding his first two inherited runners as well. So great start for him, but the offense is still down, going down to the top of the ninth, with our last chance coming up. And the first two runners get on, with back to back singles by Freddy Fermin and Nick Loftin. They even had Garrett Hampson up 3-0 in the count, he ended up striking out. A bad at bat from Dairon Blanco, and then a Maikel Garcia groundout ends the rally maybe the fastest I’ve ever seen? Like it seemed like seconds before, the Rockies were on the ropes and then suddenly the Royals find themselves losing to one of the worst teams in the league. So, yeah. This one just leaves a bad taste in your mouth. 

Summary of the Next Game

Fortunately for the Royals, they have their ace going out there for the next one. The League leader in ERA, Wins, and innings pitched, takes the mound in right hander Seth Lugo. The Rockies will send out left hander Austin Gomber, who was acquired a few years ago in that Nolan Arenado trade. He’s been middle of the road, having a 4.92 ERA across his starts this season. Hopefully the Royals offense can get it going in the next one, struggling to get it going with runners in scoring position on Friday night. Consistency is key, and man is the offense needing to be consistent. It’s a later start on Saturday, starting at 8:10 CST at Coors Field in Colorado. You have to go out there and take one from them tomorrow.