Image Credit: AP Photo / Charlie Riedel
Final Score: NYY 11 | KC 5
Overall Record: 39-30
Winning/Losing Pitcher
W: Cody Poteet (3-0 | 2.14 ERA)
L: Dan Altavilla (0-1 | 33.75 ERA)
Royals Player(s) of the Game
Bobby Witt Jr: 3-5, 2 RBI, 2 R
Witt just keeps doing what he’s done all year, get on base (a lot). Another three hits led to a pair of RBI and runs for the young star. His average sits at .326, which leads the American League and is tied for the best in all of baseball. He is also fourth in stolen bases, tied for fourth in doubles, tied for second in triples, and tied for sixth in RBI. There isn’t much that Witt can’t do on the field.
Salvador Perez: 2-2, 3 BB
Perez has certainly cooled off after his scorching hot start, batting just .182 so far in June. However, the most impressive thing about Salvy’s season so far has been his discipline. While it wasn’t a high bar to clear, he has already notched the second highest walk total of his career. He is just five walks shy of setting his career high in free passes. The only season he had more walks than he’s had so far this season was when he led the league in homeruns and RBI. His willingness to take more pitches is paying dividends, as his OBP is well above his career average and is on pace to smash his career best in that mark. He is also on pace to break the 100 RBI mark for just the second time in his career, which is making life much easier on the guys in front of him in the lineup.
Other Highlights
Kyle Isbel made his way on base on three occasions, coming home to score on two of them. His offense isn’t great by any stretch of the imagination, but anything average or better is a big boost given what he offers on defense.
Angel Zerpa and John Schreiber both pitched scoreless innings to finish the game. They have been two of the better relievers for the Royals all season and continue to give the coaching staff some confidence late in games.
Summary of the Next Game
The Royals will look to avoid a sweep on Thursday afternoon. Alec Marsh takes the mound and will look to slow down the red hot Yankee offense. The offense will try to back him up against Nestor Cortes. This is the final game of the home stand before heading west for a date with the Dodgers.