With 17 hits, including 11 for extra-bases, the Royals more than doubled up the Cardinals in the series opener, winning 14-6 to improve to 31-45 on the season.
The Royals found themselves in a hole early as Bobby Witt Jr. committed an error on a seemingly easy double-play ball that allowed one run to score. Starting pitcher Noah Cameron struggled in the first with two walks, but managed to get out of it only allowing two runs. Witt, to his credit, halved the Cardinals’ lead with a home run in the bottom of the first.
Salvador Perez, who went 3-for-5 with a double and a home run, started off Kansas City’s six-run second inning with a ball that nearly left the yard. Carter Jensen followed with a double of his own. After a Nick Loftin sacrifice fly, Isaac Collins added yet another double. After an error, Lane Thomas came up to bat, and then he doubled. Doubles for everyone! Witt, the bum, singled before Jac Caglianone grounded out. Starling Marte, batting cleanup, followed with the team’s fifth double of the inning, driving in Witt to make the score 7-2 and running Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore from the game.
The Cardinals never truly threatened again. For the game, the Cardinals offense put up 13 hits, including four doubles, but burned through a total of four pitchers, all of whom allowed at least one earned run.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Royals added another four runs, this time off a laser of a home run by Cags, his ninth of the season, and off a two-run double from Loftin that made the score 11-3.
Two innings later, Salvy nailed his 10th home run of the season, becoming the all-time leader in home runs at Kauffman Stadium with 137, passing George Brett. He received a nice ovation his next time up, which he followed with a single, finishing a triple shy of the cycle.
But it wasn’t all peaches and roses for the Royals. In the top of the fourth, Witt dove to stop a Jordan Walker grounder from reaching the outfield. It looked like one of those marquee Bobby Witt Jr. web gems (are those still a thing?), but then Witt didn’t make the throw. Worse, he grabbed his right knee. Thankfully, he got up and finished the inning before the Royals smartly removed him from the game, inserting Tyler Tolbert.
As of this writing, I have not seen any further word on the seriousness of the injury.
In the end, Cameron picked up the victory, improving to 4-4 on the year with a 4.20 ERA. He didn’t exactly pitch a gem, but managed to get through five before turning it over to the bullpen. He gave up four hits, three walks, and hit a batter while striking out six. He was charged with three earned runs.
Mason Black and Beck Way both pitched two innings to close out the game. Black labored, allowing three hits, walking two and allowing two earned runs. Way allowed zero runs despite allowing two hits and two walks. He also struck out two.
The second game of the series is tomorrow evening before a rare open Saturday due to a World Cup game across the parking lot.
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