Royals Best Marlins In Bounce-Back Victory
The importance of a win for the Royals could not be understated heading into this contest. The Royals dropped all three of their previous serious, falling out of a playoff spot all together. There seemed to be a disconnect everywhere for the Royals. The pitching was falling apart either early or lte, the batting may never get started at all, and the team was losing game after game. It was clear that something needed to be done before the Royals fell salvage.
Going into this game the Royals made an abundance of roster moves, bringing in new faces like first time MLB starter CJ Alexander from the minor leagues. The switch-up may have been unexpected for many, especially seeing Nelson Velazquez being sent down to the minors. Regardless of whether the moves made a difference or not, the Royals saw a resurgence tonight in their win. The pitching was almost perfect for a majority of this game, something that had been lacking in previous outings. The bullpen had three pitchers provide scoreless innings after Ragan's magnificent start. If the offense and pitching can perform like they did tonight consistently, the Royals favor will quickly turn around.
How It Happened:
9:23 p.m. - James McArthur comes in and closes out the Marlins in order, giving Kansas City their first win in their last four games. The Royals played a good games on both sides of the ball, scoring early and holding their lead. 4-1 Royals
9:11 p.m. - Kansas City has had an amazing combined outing from their pitchers so far tonight, something that should be a very promising sign after recent performances. John Schrieber capped off the eighth inning without any real issues to send the Royals into the final frame up at least three runs. 4-1 Royals
9:02 p.m. - All eyes are on the Kansas City bullpen, a group that has struggled over recent series, to close out the game for the Royals. Kansas City could really use this win coming off a tough finish to their road trip. Stratton did what was needed, but now John Schrieber will have to be the next piece to play his part. 4-1 Royals
8:50 p.m. - Hunter Renfroe takes one a LONG way. Putting the barrel of his bat right on the ball to give the Royals an extra layer of cushioning with a now 4-1 lead. Chris Stratton will relieve Cole Ragans while attempting to help the Royals bring home a much needed win. 4-1 Royals
8:43 p.m. - Kansas City opted to roll with starter Cole Ragans in the sixth inning, and it's hard to blame them. Ragans was dominant today, closing out the sixth inning with 11 strikeouts on 108 total pitches. He would close out his day by striking out Nick Gordon on the eighth pitch of Gordon's at-bat to secure the quality start and Royals lead headed to the bottom of the sixth. 3-1 Royals
8:37 p.m. - Bobby Witt Jr broke his recent hitting slump with a double to open the inning, becoming the first player in the American League to record 1000 hits. He has been special for Kansas City this season, cementing himself as one of the best players in the league. 3-1 Royals
8:30 p.m. - Ragans has continued to shine, picking up his tenth strikeout in just five innings. The Royals have put some run support behind him and if the team can continue with their momentum and pick up the win, Ragans would move back to .500 on the season. 3-1 Royals
8:23 p.m. - Kansas City wasn't done there. Hunter Renfroe came to the plate and battled his way to a walk before Kyle Isbel came up with two outs, pushing the ball over a leaping infielder to bring another runner home. That inning ties the Royals highest scoring game in the last five contests. 3-1 Royals
8:13 p.m. - When it rains, it pours. The Royals first two hits of the day come courtesy of back-to-back home runs from Pasquantino and Perez to put the Royals ahead. Michael Massey added a single in his return game to continue the Royals hot hitting this inning. There are still no outs so far this inning. 2-1 Royals
8:08 p.m. - Cole Ragans has had issues putting innings away. Multiple times Ragans has had two-outs or three strikes and then allowed for the Marlings to create offense with their backs against the wall. Miami picked up two hits and a walk before Ragans was able to pick up the third out of the inning. 1-0 Marlins
7:57 p.m. - Kauffman claims another one. Witt Jr ends the inning by blasting an inside sinker 413 feet into center field, just to be put away by Jazz Chisholm Jr. The same hit would have tied the game in 20/30 ballparks, just another unlucky hit for Witt Jr. 1-0 Marlins
7:50 p.m. - Cole Ragans looked perfect through almost the entire first three innings. A controversial walk didn't necessarily change that, but that was all the set-up needed to allow a Bryan De La Cruz double to bring home the first run of the game. Ragans has still had a good start to the game, but the Royals find themselves playing from behind again. 1-0 Marlins
7:39 p.m. - The Royals draw two walks, bringing up CJ Alexander in his MLB debut. Much like the rest of the Royals, Alexander is unable to get a hit and strikes out in three pitches. The Royals have shown their patience at the plate and have put runners on base. Now they must break their slump at the plate to drive runners across. 0-0
7:28 p.m. - The Marlins may have been just the team that Cole Ragans needed to face after his last outing. Ragans struggled with his command last time out, walking four in his recorded loss. Luckily for him the Marlins don't take many walks, meaning that Ragans will have a perfect chance to come back strong against Miami. 0-0
7:21 p.m. - Both pitchers retire the first three batters to end the first inning. Bobby Witt Jr battled and drew a walk but it was for-not as Vinnie Pasquantino hit into a double play just after. 0-0
7:15 p.m. - The game is underway here as Cole Ragans put down the side in order. Ragans took his first two at-bats to three-ball counts before coming back to record the outs. It will be interesting to see how Ragans attacks batters after giving up a season-high four walks against the A's. 0-0
How to watch:
Where: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO.
When: First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. CT.
TV: You can watch the game on Bally Sports KC or MLB.TV (blackouts may apply depending on location).
Starting Pitchers
KC - Cole Ragans (4-5, 3.13 ERA)
MIA - Roddery Munoz (1-2, 5.76 ERA)
Batting Order/Lineup
KC: 1. Maikel Garcia (2B) 2. Bobby Witt Jr. (SS) 3. Vinnie Pasquantino (1B) 4. Salvador Perez (C) 5. Michael Massey (DH) 6. MJ Melendez (LF) 7. Hunter Renfroe (RF) 8. CJ Alexander (3B) 9. Kyle Isbel (CF)
MIA: 1. Jazz Chisholm Jr (CF) 2. Bryan De La Cruz (DH) 3. Jake Burger (1B) 4. Jesus Sanchez (RF) 5. Tim Anserson (SS) 6. Otto Lopez (2B) 7. Nick Gordon (LF) 8. Emmanuel Rivera (2B) 9. Nick Fortes (C)
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Austin is a sports journalist from Kansas City, Mo. He is a freshman at The University of Missouri-Columbia, pursuing a degree in sports journalism.