The week ended how it began, with a Kansas City loss. That is also how the entire middle went. Kansas City’s losing streak has extended to seven games and they will go home after an 0-6 road trip.
Cole Ragans’ first inning started BB, HR, BB, K, BB, BB and he still managed to get out of there with only 3 runs given up. That should make it seem like the Royals had a chance, but that 3 run lead felt insurmountable and then progressively got worse. Ben Rice, who cannot make outs, hit another home run in the second
inning. Trent Grisham added the third homer in the 5th, a 3-run shot. On the day, Ragans walked 8, to set a new career high. He was charged with 7 earned runs and left his last walk on base for Mason Black to deal with. Black did get out of the inning, but by then it was pretty much over.
Ryan Weathers, on the other hand, dominated Royals hitters. Bobby singled in the first and then they waited all the way to 6th for their second hit when Elias Diaz singled to right. He was then thrown out at home on a Bobby Witt double a few batters later. Weathers ended up going 7 1/3 innings of shutout ball with 8 Ks. The team threatened to score again in the 8th to no avail. The Yankee bullpen held on to the shutout.
Mason Black had his first appearance for the Royals and it went well. No runs over 1 2/3 innings. He did allow 3 hits and a walk though, so the underlying metrics were not great. Both he and Diaz debuting with some success, are about the only bright spots on the day if you throw Bobby in there with them. This was not the least interesting baseball game I have ever watched, but it was a slog for sure.
The team will head back to Kauffman tied with the Mets for the worst record in baseball. Baltimore and the Angels will be in Kansas City for the coming week.
