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Seth Lugo’s solid debut backed by lackluster offense

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by Trey Donovan

Final Score: MIN 5 | KCR 1

Overall Record: 0-2

Winning/Losing Pitcher

W: Jorge Alcara (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

L: Will Smith (0-1, 36.00 ERA)

Royals Player of the Game

Seth Lugo, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K

The Royals brought in Seth Lugo to have this exact game over the course of the season. He wasn’t overly dominant like Cole Ragans, but he shut down the Twins in his first start with the team. The only inning where he looked vulnerable was in the fourth when Alex Kirilloff singled and Lugo hit Byron Buxton with a pitch. Outside of that inning, Lugo quieted the Twins bats.

Key Highlights

A slow start from the offense isn’t ideal for a Royals team that needs a solid start to a season, but MJ Melendez going 2 for 4 with a double and driving in the only run for the Royals is a good sign. Bobby Witt Jr. also got on-base three times doubling twice and getting a walk, he was also caught stealing to start the year. Another good sign is Salvador Perez throwing out his first runner on the year and some stellar defense from Maikel Garcia.

The last key highlight was John Schreiber’s debut, in which he pitched an inning with a strikeout while giving up a hit. The issue, however, was both James McArthur and Will Smith, who gave up all five runs to the Twins in the late innings.

SUMMARY OF THE NEXT GAME

The Royals hope to get the bats going and salvage a game from the Opening series of the year and the pitcher they face will be Bailey Ober (0-0). Brady Singer (0-0) will be making his first start of the season looking to rebound from a rough 2023 season.

Trey Donovan

Trey is a Senior at Baker University majoring in Mass Media (Sports media track) and has written for multiple sites in his time as a writer. He is also the current Managing editor at The Baker Orange and has written for Kings of Kauffman, Inside the Royals, and now Farm to Fountain. In his free time, if he isn't writing, he is either playing video games or watching anime.