Special throwback night for Kansas City Royals ends with win vs. Astros: Game recap
The Kansas City Royals and Houston Astros turned back the clock on Saturday night. Both teams donned special Negro Leagues uniforms to honor the storied history of baseball outside of the MLB.
The Royals, who sported throwback 1945 Kansas City Monarchs uniforms, put on a vintage performance against the Astros. After hitting three home runs on Friday night, KC hit one long ball.
Instead, the Royals manufactured nearly every run the old-fashioned way. There was a collection of stolen bases, sacrifice flies and the occasional bunt single.
The end result remained the same. The Royals defeated the Astros 10-8 and extended their winning streak to four games — while they continue to stave off reaching the franchise record for losses in a season. They’re five away from tying that mark.
“I think it was just good baseball,” Royals outfielder Kyle Isbel said. “From pitch one, we started off and put some runs on the board. We just kept chipping away the whole time no matter what the score was. We didn’t really pay attention to it much and just kept going.”
The Royals raced out to an early three-run advantage. In the first inning, Royals captain Salvador Perez recorded a two-run single. KC outfielder Nelson Velázquez added the first of three Royals sacrifice flies in the game.
The early runs aided Royals starter Cole Ragans.
He navigated the Astros lineup, who wore 1950s Houston Eagles uniforms, across six innings. Ragans allowed five runs and struck out seven batters.
The Astros broke through in the fifth inning. Houston catcher Yainer Diaz hit his 22nd home run as former All-Stars Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez collected RBIs.
“I’ve faced them a few times,” Ragans said. “I just attack them and just go at them. If you fall behind, that’s where they really are going to get you. ... Get ahead and stay ahead.”
In the seventh inning, both teams traded offensive blows. Six total runs were scored between both sides in the frame. Astros star Jose Altuve hit a three-run homer and the Royals countered with three crucial runs of their own.
The Royals created distance in the late innings. Rookie catcher Logan Porter, who came on for an injured Perez, hit his first career home run.
“It was awesome,” Porter said. “It was something I will remember forever and I’m happy my family was here to be a part of it.”
Houston responded with two runs in the ninth inning against Carlos Hernandez. However, reliever Taylor Clarke shut the door and secured the win.
KC improved to 48-101 on the season. Royals rookie James McArthur earned his first career victory.
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Here are more notables from Saturday’s game:
Salvador Perez exits game in 5th inning
Royals captain Salvador Perez was hit by a foul tip on Saturday night. In the fifth inning, Perez was struck by a baseball that ricocheted off Altuve’s bat.
The baseball knocked Perez’s catcher’s mask off. Perez sat behind home plate while massaging his chin and jaw. The Royals’ training staff came out to check on him and he initially stayed in the game.
Two batters later, Perez was evaluated again. This time, the Royals subbed him out in favor of Porter.
“The decisive thing was when he went out to the mound, he started to get a little lightheaded,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.
Porter caught the remainder of the game. Later, the Royals announced that Perez was evaluated for a concussion. He was diagnosed with a non-concussive head impact.
“It got him kind of up high,” Quatraro said. “He’s been checked and it’s non-concussive.”
Cole Ragans escapes early trouble
Ragans avoided disaster in the third inning. He tightroped out of a bases-loaded jam with Alvarez at the plate.
Alvarez proved to be a worthy opponent. He battled Ragans during his seven-pitch at-bat that included a medley of high-impact pitches. Ragans threw four sliders, two fastballs and a changeup in the pitch sequence.
It was a back-and-forth affair as Alvarez fouled off two tough offerings. Ragans won the battle, as he induced Alvarez to fly out to end the threat. The Royals maintained a 3-0 advantage, as Ragans received fist bumps from the dugout.
“You just have to mix well with that guy,” Ragans said. “It’s one of the best hitters out there. You just have to mix well. I felt like I made a good pitch. He hit it hard and it just happened to be right at somebody.”
KC added to the lead in the bottom of the frame. Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who continues to chase the famed MLB 30-30 mark, walked, stole a base and scored on outfielder MJ Melendez’s RBI single.
What’s next: The Royals conclude their three-game series against the Astros. Jordan Lyles will oppose Houston ace Framber Valdez on Sunday.
This story was originally published September 16, 2023 at 9:58 PM.
