Kansas City Royals dropped I-70 series opener to Cardinals in surprising fashion
The I-70 series resumed at Kauffman Stadium on Friday night.
This time, the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals were playing for something greater: playoff positioning.
Both teams entered in respective postseason races. While the Cardinals jostle for a National League Wild Card spot, the Royals are looking to climb the American League Central standings.
St. Louis picked up an 8-5 victory in front of 34,066 fans. In the eighth inning, Cardinals rookie Victor Scott II hit a two-run double off Royals reliever Chris Stratton.
Scott, who entered hitting .110 this season, fueled the Cardinals rally. The go-ahead runs stymied the Royals, who fell to 64-53.
The Royals could’ve escaped the situation entirely. KC challenged a forceout play just prior to Scott’s double. Cardinals outfielder Tommy Pham hit a ground ball to Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia.
Garcia bobbled the ball before recovering to turn an attempted double play. However, Pham narrowly beat the wrap-around throw at first base.
Upon further review, the call was upheld. The Royals lost their challenge as the bullpen unraveled further.
“If he calls him out, it stands the other way,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “They did a good job. ... We turn that double play and we are not talking about it being a tough night.”
On the topic of a tough night, perhaps most surprising from Friday’s loss was that KC trio Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez went a combined 1-for-13. Perez secured the lone hit of the group with an RBI single.
The Cardinals slugged their way to a 60th win. Veteran catcher Willson Contreras hit two home runs on the night. Meanwhile, Alec Burleson logged his 20th home run of the 2024 campaign.
“It’s just a couple of plays here and there,” Royals second baseman Michael Massey said. “We’ll clean it up and get at them tomorrow.”
The Royals snapped their 13-game home run streak. St. Louis is now 76-51 in the all-time series.
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Here are more notables from Friday’s game:
Royals find early offensive rhythm
The Royals hadn’t fared well against Miles Mikolas in the past. The Cardinals veteran entered Friday without allowing a run in 17 career innings against the Royals.
In two previous starts, he struck out 19 batters and walked two. Both times he went at least eight innings at Busch Stadium.
But Kauffman Stadium is a different venue. And Mikolas failed to replicate the same results on the road.
The Royals tagged Mikolas with five runs in the middle frames. In the third inning, Royals outfielder Kyle Isbel hit an RBI triple. Later, Michael Massey and Salvador Perez recorded RBI singles to tie the game.
The runs erased the Cardinals’ early 3-0 lead. Still, the Royals weren’t done with their scoring barrage.
One inning later, KC added its final two runs against Mikolas. Garcia blasted an RBI double and Massey produced a sacrifice fly RBI. The Royals led 5-3 after four and 5-4 into the eighth.
Mikolas pitched four innings and allowed all five runs. He struck out three batters.
Sam Long escapes crucial jam
Royals reliever Sam Long continues to step up when his number is called. In the fifth inning, Long was needed to help strand two runners after starter Michael Lorezen left the game.
Lorenzen allowed three earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. He earned a no-decision in the loss.
“For me to go 4 1/3 (innings), it’s just unacceptable for me,” Lorenzen said. “I need to a better job for the bullpen. Our offense did an incredible job and fought back.”
The Cardinals had both Burleson and Contreras aboard trailing by two runs. Quatraro turned to Long out of the bullpen in the high-leverage spot.
Long was tasked to face Cardinals star Nolan Arenado. The pitching sequence lasted three pitches, as Arenado lined into a double play to end the frame.
“We thought that was the best matchup for us,” Quatraro said. “I didn’t want (Lorenzen) to get another guy on base and (force Long to) come in with the bases loaded. I thought the fresh arm and new look will give Arenado a tough matchup.”
An inning later, Long worked out of trouble again.
He allowed a run but stranded a key baserunner at third base. The Royals kept a 5-4 lead — before later losing it.
What’s next on the KC Royals schedule?
The Royals conclude the I-70 series against the Cardinals. On Saturday, KC right-hander Michael Wacha will start in the series finale.
Wacha, who spent seven seasons with the Cardinals, looks to build off his last start. He allowed two earned runs in six innings against the Detroit Tigers. The Royals are 11-9 in Wacha’s starts this season.
The Cardinals will start right-hander Andre Pallante. He is 4-6 with a 4.43 ERA and has allowed 14 earned runs in his last five starts.
This story was originally published August 9, 2024 at 10:16 PM.
