Special night for the Kansas City Royals ends with loss to Boston Red Sox: Game recap
The Kansas City Royals’ offensive rampage hit a speed bump Saturday night.
After scoring 13 runs in Friday’s series opener against the Boston Red Sox, the Royals weren’t quite as efficient in Game 2. The Royals collected 11 hits in a 9-5 loss with former manager Ned Yost in attendance.
Yost was inducted into the Royals Hall of Fame prior to the game. He is the 27th Hall of Fame member in franchise history.
The Royals fell behind early — in the first inning, in fact. The Red Sox recorded three extra-base hits to open the game, as outfielder Alex Verdugo tripled and third baseman Rafael Devers hit an RBI double.
Later, Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas hit a two-run homer off Royals rookie Alec Marsh. Boston would score five additional runs in the third and fourth innings.
“The first at-bat and guy gets to third base, things get going pretty quick,” Marsh said. “Made it a little tough to settle down. I thought I had it in the second inning and things got away again. The same thing in the third. It just wasn’t there today.”
Marsh allowed seven hits and six runs. He failed to complete three innings and suffered his eighth loss.
“Yeah, it was a struggle for him,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Looked like the velo was down a little bit, didn’t have the same life on the fastball and got behind. And then when he had to come in, they did damage on it. So, tough way to start, you know? He gave it what he had and it just wasn’t his night.”
The Royals scored five runs late. Outfielder MJ Melendez hit his 13th home run in the ninth inning. Melendez is hitting .444 (20 for 45) with a 1.513 OPS in 12 games against the Red Sox. As to why that is, Melendez thought for a moment.
“I’m not really sure,” he said. “At this point it’s kind of a mental thing in my head, in a good way. It’s a team I happen to do well against. ... I am swinging the bat well against them so far.”
Royals infielder Matt Beaty was hit by a pitch three times Saturday. He is the first player in Royals history to be plunked three times in a single game.
The Royals dropped to 42-95 with the loss.
Missed previous Royals coverage?
Royal Reunion: Former Royals stars reunite during Ned Yost’s Hall of Fame induction
Home win: Royals collect 17 hits in 13-2 victory over Red Sox
Here are more notables from Saturday’s game:
Royals score three runs in sixth inning
It was a slow night for the Royals’ offense. After a 17-hit performance Friday, the Royals fell behind early.
Boston jumped to an 8-1 lead in the fourth inning. The Red Sox chased Marsh from his start after 2 2/3 innings and continued their barrage against the bullpen.
KC rallied in the sixth inning. Royals duo Nelson Velázquez and Maikel Garcia collected RBI singles. A few batters later, Melendez drew a bases-loaded walk.
The Royals wouldn’t get any closer — at least at that time. Red Sox reliever Josh Winckowski retired Salvador Perez and Freddy Fermin to end the threat.
“We had a big chance there in the sixth,” Quatraro said. “We just didn’t bust it open or make up all the ground with it. But overall (we) competed till the end. Put some good at-bats together there in the ninth, as well.”
Cole Ragans, Bobby Witt Jr. receive monthly honors
The Royals recognized Cole Ragans and Bobby Witt Jr. for their stellar play in August.
Ragans, who has been a revelation since being acquired before the deadline, was named Royals Pitcher of the Month. Meanwhile, Witt earned Royals Player of the Month honors.
“It’s awesome,” Ragans said. “It was a good month and probably one of the best months I’ve had in baseball. I’ve been working on a lot of things and it felt like a lot of things slid into place a little bit.”
Ragans went 3-1 with a 1.72 ERA in six starts. He allowed seven earned runs and struck out an MLB-leading 53 batters in 36 2/3 innings.
Witt continued his run toward Major League Baseball’s 30-30 club. He is two homers shy of reaching the career milestone. Witt led the Royals with a .324 batting average, nine home runs, 22 RBIs and 36 hits in August.
There were plenty of highlights as well. Witt hit an inside-the-park home run and grand slam in consecutive days during the month.
What’s next: The Royals conclude their three-game series against the Red Sox. Royals veteran Zack Greinke is slated to pitch for KC in Sunday’s finale.
This story was originally published September 2, 2023 at 9:21 PM.
