Today, the Royals took on the Guardians, looking to get out of Cleveland with a 2-2 series split. The Royals struggled and dropped the first two games of the series, but in game three, the bullpen showed up and helped them get a big win, setting them up to even the series in the fourth and final game. Unfortunately, the Royals collapsed late and took a brutal loss 3-2 in Cleveland, all but knocking themselves out of the playoff race.
The Royals opened the game with a bang. Mike Yastzremski led off
the inning with a walk, and after Bobby Witt Jr flew out, Vinnie Pasquantino came to the plate and blasted a two-run home run to give Kansas City an early lead. The Royals’ offense had struggled in the first three games of the series, and outside of an 11-run game against the Twins, had struggled mightily to score runs. Tagging Gavin Williams early gave the team an early spark that they hoped to carry with them the rest of the night.
Stephen Kolek got off to a great start, sitting down the first nine hitters he faced with a little help from an incredible catch in right field by Jac Caglianone. He ran into some trouble in the 4th inning, after he gave up a lead-off double and the Guardians got two productive outs to score their first run of the game. Kolek got out of the inning with a front hip two-seamer that got Nolan Jones, marking his fourth looking strikeout of the game. The Guardians threatened again in the fifth with a two-out double, but Bobby Witt Jr showed his gold glove skills, and a diving play saved a run and kept the 2-1 lead going into the 6th.
From there, Stephen Kolek shut things down and did not allow another run for the rest of his start. Kolek gave the Royals another quality start, going three for three in his outings with the Royals this season. His start lasted 6.2 innings, and he only allowed four base runners, with three hits and one walk. His only walk came with two outs in the seventh inning, right before he was pulled in favor of John Schreiber.
Schrieber came back out for the 8th inning, and that’s when Kansas City ran into some trouble. Bo Naylor singled to lead off the inning, and CJ Kayfus shot one to right-center field to give the Guardians a 3-2 lead. Schreiber has now allowed two runs in three of his last four appearances, and these two were costly for the Royals.
The Royals were down to their last three outs and needed just one run to keep themselves alive. Jonathan India came to the plate and was hit by the very first pitch of the inning, and just like that, the Royals had life. Kyle Isbel came to the plate and struck out on three bunt attempts, giving the Royals Tolbert on first with one out. Nick Loftin pinch hit for Luke Maile and struck out, and then a pop out by Mike Yastzremski ended the game.
A devastating loss to the Guardians after a late collapse by the Royals was a brutal way to end the series. With just 15 games left in the season, it will take a lot for the Royals to get into the playoffs from here. They play the Phillies tomorrow at 5:45 CT.
