Kansas City Royals blank NY Mets for 5th straight win (yep, you’re reading that right)
Kansas City Royals starter Cole Ragans further proved his long-term value against the New York Mets at Kauffman Stadium.
Ragans, a 25-year-old left-handed pitcher acquired in the Aroldis Chapman trade, tossed six shutout innings Wednesday night as the Royals blanked New York 4-0 for their fifth win in a row.
Ragans was impressive and dominated the strike zone. He struck out eight batters relying primarily on his four-seam fastball. The pitch touched 96.8 mph and kept the Mets off-balance. Ragans induced 16 swings and 14 called strikes with the heater.
“Salvy made it pretty easy for me,” Ragans said, referring to Royals captain and star catcher Salvador Perez. “What he called, I threw and tried to execute to the best of my ability.”
And his Royals teammates provided just enough run support. Michael Massey and Drew Waters sparked the offense in pivotal ways, Massey hitting a two-run double in the first inning and Waters capping the evening with a solo home run in the eighth.
“I was ready for the heater but looking for the slider,” Waters said of his home run. “I happened to get the slider again and we were able to hit it out.”
The Royals carved out 11 hits against the Mets starter Kodai Senga. He struggled with his command and the Royals elevated his pitch count early. Senga allowed three runs and struck out six in 5 2/3 innings.
“I thought we had a really good plan from the hitting coaches,” Massey said. “Just picked up some stuff on video that we were watching all day. Felt like we put some good swings on him.”
The Mets attempted a comeback in the ninth inning. Royals reliever Taylor Clarke loaded the bases to bring the tying run to the plate. But Clarke retired Mets outfielder Jeff McNeil to end the game.
KC improved to 34-75. It’s the Royals’ first five-game winning streak in nearly two years. The last time it happened was July 20-26, 2021.
Missed previous games of the series?
Game 1: Royals defeat Mets in unconventional way: A “balk-off”
Player of the Month: Royals honor Bobby Witt Jr., Ryan Yarbrough with special award
Here are more notables from Wednesday’s game:
Michael Massey gives Royals early lead
The Royals got off to a hot start Wednesday night, sending eight batters to the plate in the first inning against Mets starter Senga.
Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia hit a leadoff single. He reached third base as outfielder MJ Melendez got aboard with a fielder’s choice. Two batters later, second baseman Massey drove them home.
Massey belted a double off the right-field wall. He turned around a 92.9 mph cutter that darted inside the strike zone. It was his ninth double of the season and gave the Royals a 2-0 lead.
In his last 10 games, Massey is hitting .286 (10 for 35) with six extra-base hits and nine RBIs.
“I think it’s trying to use the whole field and being a tougher out,” Massey said. “Letting the ball travel a little bit more and not being out front on so many of those off-speed pitches.
Drew Waters dazzles with outfield assist
Waters turned in a highlight play in the sixth inning. He threw out Mets first baseman Mark Vientos, who was attempting to score from second base.
Vientos rounded third as Waters fielded a two-out single. Waters shifted his weight behind the throw and fired a strike to catcher Salvador Perez. The throw beat Vientos and Perez applied the tag to end the frame.
“That was actually crazy,” Waters said. “Usually, my rule of thumb is if I see the runner touch third as I am coming up with the ball, then I’m throwing it home. So, I let it go and I didn’t have much of a grip.
“I’ll be honest, I thought I was getting ready to throw it into the stands. It cut about 10 feet right back to Salvy. ... It got to him right on the money and we got an assist out of it.”
Waters has three outfield assists this season. It was his first since June 29 against the Cleveland Guardians and drew praise from Ragans.
“The throw from Waters in the sixth saved me big-time,” Ragans said. “My pitch count started to get up there and he threw it right on the money and hosed the guy.”
What’s next: The Royals conclude their three-game series against the Mets on Thursday. Brady Singer draws the start for the afternoon game at Kauffman Stadium.
This story was originally published August 2, 2023 at 9:54 PM.
