Final Score: SEA 6 | KC 5

Overall Record: 39-27

Winning/Losing Pitcher

• W: Mike Baumann (3-0 | 3.24 ERA)
• L: James McArthur (2-3 | 5.27 ERA)
• S: Tayler Saucedo (3 | 2.81 ERA)

Royals Player of the Game

Cole Ragans

6.0 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 9 K

I feel like we are running out of things to say about Cole Ragans. He just keeps putting up performance after performance that keeps us in awe. Besides the leadoff home run from JP Crawford, for the second straight day, the Mariners had no answer for Ragans. They actually only got two more hits throughout the rest of the afternoon, and only one walk. The most of the damage came in the last inning of Ragans’ outing, with the sixth giving him a battle. After a fielding error by center fielder Kyle Isbel, Ragans had the meat of the Seattle lineup to go through with a runner in scoring position. He had a Julio Rodriguez flyout, and then struck out Mitch Garver giving some emotion on the mound after that one. When the pitcher celebrates getting out of a big position, it is truly one of the best moments in the game. Ragans has that bulldog mentality, and he showed it today once again with his gutsy performance on the mound. 

Bonus: MJ Melendez – Game Tying 2-Run HR (7) in Bottom of Ninth with Two Out

MJ needs to be recognized because quite literally, we’re not talking about extra innings without him. Ragans did his thing, but still wouldn’t have had a shot if it wasn’t for MJ. And it’s been great to see him kind of get it going this series against the Mariners. Sure he’s still not hitting for a bunch of average, but he had two huge homers to start a rally or tie the game. I would also bank on MJ developing his game a little more. We’ve been saying this for a while I know, but there is something to continually giving someone a chance. Manager Matt Quatraro has kept the faith with MJ throughout the whole season, and it paid off today at least. Continuing this game, and continuing the storyline of the weekend for the Royals, which is: they NEVER give up. Which is cheesy, I know, but it’s true. And it’s better than being called the second worst team in baseball. Look for MJ to keep it going, there is so much more inside that player that has to continue to be molded. Once he can gain that confidence, and adjust to the adjustment, we can chat about him going to the next level. But for the immediate future, we know he plays better at home, so that’s good since the next series is against one of the best in baseball in the New York Yankees. 

Key Highlights

Since we talked about the great start from Ragans; I feel like we gotta pick up the action in this one, in the top of the seventh, when Will Klein enters the game. With a man on, Tyler Locklear in his major league debut, hits an RBI double to give the M’s the lead. Josh Rojas then gets him in, with an RBI single to right, letting Seattle take a two run lead headed to the bottom half. Quick aside, after watching Ryan Bliss this weekend, I think this man is going to be a young star up the middle with JP Crawford for the Mariners. Every time he was given an opportunity in this series it seemed like he came through more than not. Back to the game, the Royals are down in the bottom of the ninth, and after two quick outs and a Nick Loftin double, MJ Melendez steps to the plate. See above. Clutch. Money. Whatever you want to call it, it came up big time. With some monster momentum headed to the bottom half. James McArthur then comes in and it seemed like he was going to make it out of the jam. He struck out JP Crawford looking to give him two outs with two men on. He then let Dylan Moore work a walk out of him after having him down 0-2 in the count. And this may be a bit much, but then four uncompetitive pitches after that. All balls way outside to the hitter you WANT to face because of who’s on deck and coming up after him. It baffles me that he did not challenge Dylan Moore once in that at-bat. Could’ve been mistaken location and high intensity moment, but you still have to do something there. He gets bitten after that, giving up RBI singles to Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh. Making the score 6-3 by the end of the mess. 

I’m not here for McArthur’s head, he’s still developing. But there are some things you have to do, and you can’t be scared of a hitter after having the advantage on him, you just can’t. Especially given the circumstances of the people coming up to the plate next, and all we can hope for is a lesson learned. Hunter Renfoe gets the bottom of the 10th started off with a bang, with a 2-run homer to make the lead only one. 

But here’s the kicker, now there is a clean slate on the basepaths. Kyle Isbel singles, which gets Dairon Blanco on the bases, usually a good thing. But today the top of the lineup couldn’t finish the job, or keep it going for more extra baseball. So unfortunately the rally that started, couldn’t be completed. Have to give respect to the boys for continuing to play through the final whistle. Should have never been in this game, but that’s what GOOD teams do, they stay in games, and find themselves in games they should’ve already lost in. The gutsy, never quit DNA of this team has to continue though. They have playoff contention written all over them, and if that trait continues to shine through, there is no limit to this team.

Summary of the Next Game

The next one is HUGE. The best team in baseball is headed to town. The New York Yankees are coming in full force with the best starting pitching ERA in baseball, and two of the top MVP candidates in the AL, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. A monumental thing for this series, with the potential of three MVP candidates playing in the series, if you add Bobby Witt Jr. to that mix. Soto might be out for this one though, he’s been dealing with left forearm inflammation that has had him out the past couple days. Hopefully we can see a healthy series, cause this one looks like it will be fun to watch. Seth Lugo and Carlos Rodón go at it in this one, with both having very solid starts so far. Lugo has been a bit more effective leading AL in wins, and having a 2.13 ERA. With Rodón right behind him, going 8-3 with a 3.08 ERA. Royals have seen Rodon in the past, with his days with the White Sox, but also this young lineup hasn’t seen him as much as, let’s say Salvador Perez, who has a .450 average against him with seven RBI. 7:10p at Kauffman Stadium on Monday, and it looks like it’ll be a beautiful night. This one is going to be must-watch baseball, two of the hotter teams in the AL square up in a classic rivalry.