A very explosive seventh inning accounted for all but two of the runs today including a 2-run homer from Salvador Perez to tie George Brett’s franchise record. Kansas City scored five in that inning to complete the sweep 5-4 this afternoon.
Both the Royals and the Giants were unable to do almost anything offensively for the first two thirds of this one. In fact, through the first 5 innings Seth Lugo had faced the minimum thanks to a double play and Landen Roupp had faced one over the minimum for a total
number of 31 plate appearances. Then the first run was scored without a hit in the 6th inning. Lugo walked Willy Adames to open the inning and then hit Drew Gilbert in the thigh when he squared to bunt. Not the best way to start out an inning. The nine hitter, Drew Cavanaugh, sac bunted to move those two free base runners into scoring position. Back to the top of the lineup and Luis Arraez who hit a flyout deep enough into center to score a run and move Gilbert to third. That one run was all they would get in the 6th.
Lugo gave up two more in the 7th when the offensive torpor lifted for both teams. It again started with a walk, this time to Rafael Devers. He was still at first base with two outs when Jung Hoo Lee drilled a ball into the right field corner for an RBI triple. It was followed by another hard hit ball from Willy Adames that bounced over the left field wall for a ground rule double and another score. Seth finished the day with 7IP, 3H, 2BB, 5K, 3ER. It was not a bad day though it did look like he was set up to take the loss.
Down 3-0, the Royals had Vinnie Pasquantino leading off in the 7th, which turned into the first real drama of the day. Vinnie hit a ball down the first base line into the corner for a double, but his slide into second was a bit awkward and Adames thought he had tagged him out. I don’t think he tagged him while he was off base but that did not matter since the umpire ruled he was pushed off and therefore safe. This led to some arguing from Tony Vitello who was ejected when he could not challenge the call. Next up was Salvador Perez who decided to make a little history happen. Salvy up with Pasquantino on second, he launches home run number 317 just to the right of center and tied George Brett for the most in Royals history!! It also cut the lead down, now 3-2, and there were still no outs and Landen Roupp was removed to bring in Sam Hentges.
Michael Massey was up next in the 7th and bunted, which Hentges fielded and threw wide of first allowing Massey to end up at second. After Isaac Collins grounded out, he moved to third on a Starling Marte groundball through the right side that Lee got to quickly to stop Massey from scoring. The Giants decided to bring in Keaton Winn and the Royals decided to pinch hit with Nick Loftin rather than having Josh Rojas face him. It was a good decision has Loftin singled to center and tied the game 3-3. The inning was still rolling, now first and second with one down. After another out, Starling Marte stole third which did not matter since Carter Jensen walked the bases loaded. And then to round out the inning, Lane Thomas hit a ball between second and first to score two more and give the Royals their first lead of the day. The team batted around and got five in the 7th, time for the bullpen to see if they could secure the win.
Daniel Lynch came in and threw a clean 8th to get three outs closer to victory and bring up Salvy to lead off the bottom half of the inning with a chance to break the record. He did not and instead struck out on three pitches. The Royals also came up empty in the inning, and the Royals went to the field three outs away from victory and a sweep.
Steven Cruz came on for the ninth looking for his first career save. He has been great recently giving up just one run in his last 12 outings. Cruz took care of Heliot Ramos and Devers quickly to get one out away from ending it. Then came mighty Casey, Casey Schmitt that is, to the bat. Schmitt took a 99 MPH fastball into the visitor’s bullpen to make it 5-4, but Lee popped out and that was that. The Royals got the win and the sweep, Steven Cruz has one career save, and Salvador Perez is tied with George Brett. It was a nice way to end the home stand.
Next up for the boys in blue is a road trip to Detroit, Minnesota, and Colorado. They won’t be back in Kauffman until August 4th, so Salvy is likely going to break the record on the road.
