Final Score: KC 8 | PIT 3

Overall Record: 82-68

Winning/Losing Pitcher

• W: Carmen Mlodzinski (3-5 | 3.60 ERA)
• L: Brady Singer (9-11 | 3.53 ERA)
• S: Aroldis Chapman (9 | 4.11 ERA)

Key Highlights

First, Sunday was Roberto Clemente Day all across Major League Baseball as they celebrated the greatness that was and is, number 21 Roberto Clemente. This was an exciting young pitching matchup, with two of the better young starters in the league Jared Jones and Brady Singer. As Jones donned the fated 21 of the legend of the day. Brady Singer started off a little rocky, giving up an RBI double to Bryan Reynolds to give the Pirates the lead in this one to start. Brady then settled down, with the next couple innings of scoreless ball. He then gives a run in the 4th and two in the 5th. With some bad management of runners on base. Giving up a run on a fielder’s choice that was set up by some walks, and then a simple RBI single and walking in a run in the 5th. Really  it was just a “meh” start from Brady, who has been solid the rest of the season. He ended up giving up four runs, which of course is off kilter for the Royals rotation this season. But he kept them in the game, that is the thing you can say about him. The offense just couldn’t muster more than three. Jared Jones, although his pitch count was pretty high, he was efficient. With a Yuli Gurriel sac fly tying the game in the 2nd, he continues his odd but consistent streak as a member of the Royals. At least he’s having productive at bats, which makes Vinnie’s absence sting a tick less. Yuli Gurriel started things in the fourth, with a double, which Maikel Garcia drives him in with a double of his own. 

And the Royals have the lead for the moment. But the Royals strand Maikel at second, and that was a sign of things to come all day. The Royals lost the lead in the 5th with those two runs given up by Brady, but in the 6th they started crawling back. They just couldn’t get the big hit. Bobby Witt Jr. drove in a run with a walk, but that was it in the inning. 

The Royals ended up leaving 10 on base throughout the afternoon, and just couldn’t come through. That is the important thing when you’re headed down the stretch in the postseason, you have to come through with the big hit. But the Royals just couldn’t come through today. Also, just couldn’t do anything against the Pirates bullpen, which has been the Royals strength all year. Daniel Lynch had a couple scoreless innings, and that is certainly a great thing to see. That is probably the highlight in this one. I’m gonna say no player of the game in this one, because you needed to complete the sweep when everyone else won today in the American League. Important to take advantage of teams that are worse than you and you won the series, but tough to not see a sweep. Of course, I’ll take a winning series, but it would be nice to really step on the neck of the opponent down the stretch in a playoff race. The road gets a bit tougher here, as a hot team of late comes to town.

Summary of the Next Game

These Royals will continue their playoff hunt as they come back to Kauffman Stadium for the last homestand of the year. The Detroit Tigers, who are actually coming back in the Wildcard chase, are coming to town. The Tigers have been really hot of late, rallying above .500, and as of late they just keep on winning. They are right behind the Twins in the Wild Card standings and they’re looking to take a few games against KC. The Royals will throw out one of the best starting pitchers in the game this year in the 34 year old Seth Lugo. Who recorded his 14th win this season his last time out. He was flawless against the Yankees on Tuesday, going seven strong and not allowing a run. Detroit has yet to announce a starter as of Sunday night. It’s an important game for both teams as one tries to catch up, and another tries to pull away.