Michael Wacha continues to churn out quality starts, writes Jaylon Thompson.
“When you are giving up one run, you are going to have a pretty good chance to win,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “And two runs yesterday. That’s usually the name of the game. When your pitching is solid, you’ve got a better chance to win.”
Wacha allowed just one run in seven innings. He scattered three hits while registering six strikeouts against the Tigers’ potent lineup. It was his seventh victory and 17th quality
start — most in the American League.
“Wacha’s the best, man,” Perez said. “Wacha’s been doing that all season long. And every time he is going to pitch, he’s going to give everything he has for us.”
Anne Rogers writes about the Saturday win.
Isbel was just one of the heroes in the Royals’ win on Saturday. After Isbel put them on the board, Salvador Perez clobbered his 17th home run in the fourth inning to pad the lead. Jac Caglianone doubled in the sixth, moved to third on Perez’s groundout and scored on a wild pitch for insurance. By his celebration, Perez seemed more fired up for moving the runner than his home run.
“As soon as they changed the pitcher, Vinnie [Pasquantino] and I talked, like, ‘I’m going to try to move him,’” Perez said. “Bring him in by moving the other way. He threw me a curveball that backed up and jammed me a little bit, but I still hit it to second base. Sometimes things happen. Don’t have the opportunity to bring him in, but the wild pitch scored that run. We’re doing the little things like that, and it’s good for the team.”
On Sunday, Salvy had his first stolen base in five years.
Craig Kimbrel earned his first save with the Royals, the 441th of his career.
“You get the final out,” Kimbrel said, “I think that’s one of the things that’s so enticing and fun about closing out games. It’s when you throw the last pitch and the last out is made, you can take a breath and everybody gets to go home happy.”
Royals 2026 first-round pick Zion Rose hits his first pro home run.
Preston Farr checks in on 2026 Royals draftees.
Rose has been a mixed bag thus far. He’s made an immediate impact with his speed, stealing eight bases in his first ten games with the River Bandits. The power, however, has been absent, however. Rose did hit his first home run with the Bandits as I’m typing this on Saturday afternoon, but still mid-game action, it isn’t included in the above stat line. Rose has walked at a healthy rate and limited strikeouts enough, but in all it’s been a middling debut for the sixth-overall selection in this year’s draft. That isn’t to say it’s time to sound the alarm bells. Jac Caglianone posted just a 98 wRC+ with a .388 SLG in his small-sample debut with Quad Cities in 2024.
Latif Love at the Star writes about the stories that made Salvador Perez who he is today.
J.J. Bleday hits for the cycle for the Reds.
Randy Arozarena becomes the third hitter in MLB history with a first-pitch home run, walk-off homer.
Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow will return on Tuesday.
The Phillies win their ninth straight on a Kyle Schwarber walk-off homer.
The Yankees lose Ryan Weathers but get Cody Bellinger back in the lineup.
The Rangers designate outfielder Jarred Kelenic for assignment.
Mariners infielder Brendan Donovan lands on the Injured List after a batting cage incident.
Shohei Ohtani may pitch as soon as next week.
Dodgers reliever Edwin Diaz plans to tinker with his arm angle while on the Injured List.
MLB players give their advice to participants in the Little League World Series.
How the “Bat King” created custom looks for players.
A tight end cut by the Cleveland Browns will attempt to play for LSU.
Wyndham Clark avoids collapse to win the BMW Championship.
Robots break world human records at the Robot Games.
New 2D barcodes could help prevent the spread of the next foodborne-illness.
Why do hummingbirds hum?
Your song of the day is Frank Black with Headache.
