Nick Loftin chose a really good time to hit his first home run on the season.
The Royals found their resilience to go with a few desperately needed bullpen answers Wednesday night at Great American Ball Park.
Nick Loftin belted his first home run of the season in a three-run ninth as the Royals claimed the rubber game of the three-game series with a 5-2 win over the Reds.
It was just the sixth series-finale win in 20 tries this season for the Royals, who won their first road series since sweeping the Mariners
in Seattle from May 1-3.
Loftin’s home run came after Michael Massey’s 10-pitch at-bat that ended with a tiebreaking single to right, scoring pinch-runner Tyler Tolbert – who was attempting to steal third on the pitch – to make it 3-2. All three runs in the ninth came off Cincinnati fill-in closer Tony Santillan (1-3), who took the loss.
Lucas Erceg is finally being moved out of the 9th inning… somewhat
As a result, Royals skipper Matt Quatraro announced before the series finale Wednesday that he will be making a change to the closer’s role.
“I think there’s two separate answers to that. In the short term, we’re going to match up, just based on who’s available that night and where we think the best avenue for us to get the win is,” Quatraro said. “But in the long term, I do think Erceg is a guy that we’re going to use in the ninth.”
Quatraro was careful to frame Wednesday’s announcement, making it clear that he won’t hesitate using the right-hander in higher-leverage situations. It just likely won’t be in the ninth if he feels he can use him earlier in the game. Erceg is 3-3 with a 6.45 ERA and a 1.97 WHIP in 24 appearances covering 22 1/3 innings this season.
Yandel Ricardo is tearing it up in Columbia currently.
It’s telling when a player goes 1-for-23 over a seven-game stretch and still has undeniably an impressive month. That’s what happened for Ricardo with Single-A Columbia, where he ran hot from May 2-13 (.325/.372/.675) and picked up a full head of steam of late (.455/.520/.864, two homers in eight games since May 24). The switch-hitting shortstop has already doubled his career home run high with four through 45 games for the Fireflies and is gaining plenty of momentum in his age-19 season.
Also in Columbia, Kendry Chourio continues to dominate as well.
The Royals’ No. 2 prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 77 overall, Chourio turned in 5 1/3 scoreless innings on Tuesday in a 3-1 win over Fayetteville at Segra Stadium. The stellar outing lowered his season ERA to 1.46.
It’s well known the Royals need to change it up in the bullpen, Kevin O’Brien of Royals Keep spoke on it.
Luinder Avila had his best MLB start on Monday, O’Brien also talked about how he may be vital for KC
The Royals got outfielder Matthew Lugo, Caleb Moody of Kings of Kauffman talked about the acquisition.
MLB.com insider Mark Feinsand talked about the Royals trade deadline intentions after the slow start
Shohei Ohtani lowered his season ERA under 1.00
Christopher Sánchez’s long scoreless inning streak finally was snapped by the Padres
All-Star Voting is already happening
Mauricio Dubón has an interesting charm, and it’s working lately
CBA talks with Rob Manfred are happening
Aaron Judge to get more testing on rib cage
The Knicks took game one of the NBA Finals in San Antonio against the Spurs last night
Today’s song of the day is Hells Bells by AC/DC
