Record: 24-16
Winning/Losing Pitcher:
W: Steven Cruz (1-0 | 0.00 ERA)
L: Sean Newcomb (0-4| 3.58 ERA)
Key Highlights
This one stayed quiet throughout. With Hunter Dobbins going six scoreless for the Red Sox, then Michael Lorenzen one upping him; going seven scoreless. Continuing the dominant run from this Royals starting pitching staff. As I’ve said many times before, if this dude is your five starter you are in great shape. Because he’s due for one of these games every so often where he is just more dominant than the other guy, no matter what. I would love to talk about Lorenzen as preserving this game, but this one got crazy. To save the time, the Boston Red Sox ended up using seven pitchers out of their bullpen in this one for the whole 12 innings. We’ll see how that effects them the rest of the series. Especially if the Royals can force a starting pitcher out of the game early. Royals still had a big game out of the bullpen as well, using five of their arms. Not nearly as bad as Boston, but still something to monitor. Let’s pick this one up in the 11th (Yeah, I know, crazy). But the Red Sox finally score the first run of the game on a Rafael Devers infield single that is overturned to be out on a throw by Bobby Witt Jr. Quick aside on Bob, the Red Sox intentionally walked him twice in this one just to say: “nope, not letting this guy beat us”. A huge factor for this offense, the other guys have to pull the rope. You cannot become Bob central, he pulls a lot of weight, but you need the supporting cast.
Daniel Lynch gets out of it though, only allowing that unearned run because of the extra inning runner. We head to bottom of 11th where after a wild pitch to Bob, Drew Waters goes to third. This becomes one of the times the Red Sox pitched around Bob, pretty much an INT walk. Which brings Vinnie Pasquantino to the plate, where he comes through! With a single to tie the game in the 11th. Even though the Royals had no one out and Bobby Witt Jr. in scoring position, they couldn’t get him home. So we head to the 12th.
Where Steven (MFing) Cruz comes in and drops the hammer. What an absolute monster this guy has been out of the pen for KC. Still 0.00 ERA in his 14 innings of work. Good stuff from the young guy who is just going to be another impressive cog in the machine for this team. He has the potential to be one of the more nasty arms in this bullpen, and it is ALREADY stacked so far to start the season. The bullpen in this game only allowed an unearned run while there was a runner put at second base in extras. You saw the Royals best in this one: Schrieber to Erceg to Estévez to Lynch to Cruz. Three of them have an ERA lower than one, one has 11 saves and has been dominant, and the other has a 1.69. We are inching into the part of the season where this becomes impressive ladies and gents.
On to the bottom half, where one of the most bizarre bunts I have ever seen in my life. Cavan Biggio wanting to advance the runner to third, has a pitch come up and in and he defends himself with the bat. It goes off the handle and is a perfect bunt. Holy. S***. That was crazy and also awesome at the same time?? You have to recognize at that time the vibes were high. Freddy Fermin comes up to the plate. Looking to become the hero once again. He hits a line drive to the gap and this one is FINALLY over. What an old fashioned pitching performance that ends in a walk off. What more could you ask for?
The Royals have now won 16 of 18, and now seven in a row! The first time they’ve done that since 1978. Man alive, this is looking like it could be the start of something special here in KC. So sit back and watch Kansas City, we’re in for a show.
Royals Player of the Game
Freddy Fermin
Walk off Single in the 12th
Similarly to early in the week, I’m going to give Freddy Fermin his flowers! It might’ve been his only hit in his five at bats, but he made it count and came through and they needed him. Which is all you can ask at the end of the day. It doesn’t matter how they got there, it doesn’t matter how the offense, struggled, you got the win and took advantage. Freddy just doesn’t get shouted out enough. And I know Michael Lorenzen went 7 scoreless, but since Freddy Fermin is a DAWG. We have to recognize him. And! The Royals cleaned up (photoshop and language) the twitter meme that we all love.
Summary of the Next Game:
We get a legendary left on left pitching matchup on Saturday night with Cole Ragans and Garrett Crochet facing off in what I’m sure will be an amazing watch. This will be Crochet’s first start as a Red Sox against the Royals after seeing him a quite a bit as a member of the White Sox. He has been incredible with Boston so far, sporting a 2.02 ERA in his starts this year. While the Royals will send out the pitcher who has four two digit strikeout games this year, Cole Ragans. Ragans struck out 11 in only five innings his last time out. So you can see why this matchup is heavily favored in the landscape of baseball on Saturday. The Royals will try to keep the momentum going to continue this win streak! 6:10 at Kauffman Stadium is when we start this one on Saturday. So get out to the ballpark if you can to see the hottest team in baseball play one of the biggest brands. It should be an electric one.
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