Dairon Blanco hits 2 homers, including his 1st grand slam, as Royals rout Reds
Dairon Blanco is known for his electric speed.
On Saturday, the Kansas City Royals outfielder showcased the rest of his dynamic portfolio. And it amounted to a career performance against the Cincinnati Reds.
Blanco led the Royals to a 13-1 victory at Great American Ball Park. He blasted two home runs, including his first career grand slam off Reds reliever Buck Farmer. It was Blanco’s first multi-homer game. He logged seven RBIs.
“Spectacular,” Blanco said of his night, via an translator. “I love playing, and when I’m in the lineup, I love playing baseball. So, I prepared myself since I got here, and I felt really good when I went out there.”
The Royals offense followed suit. In the third inning, KC scored seven runs to knock Reds starter Nick Lodolo out of the game. Twelve batters combined for five hits and four walks in the big inning.
First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino began the frame with a leadoff single. Later, the Royals churned through the Reds bullpen.
Catcher Freddy Fermin drew a bases-loaded walk and third baseman Paul DeJong hit an RBI single. Both runs preceded Blanco’s grand slam.
Blanco drilled an 81.2 mph slider into the left-field seats to break open the game.
“What he did tonight was like unbelievable for a guy in the role that he is in,” Pasquantino said. “To be able to step in there tonight and do that is crazy impressive. Seven RBIs — I mean, he won us a game tonight.”
The Royals onslaught continued to gain steam. Five players joined Blanco with at least one RBI in the victory. As a result, the run support was more than enough for starting pitcher Michael Wacha.
Wacha tossed six innings in his 250th career start. He allowed four hits and struck out nine batters en route to his 10th victory of the season.
“The score kind of gave us that freedom to go out there and you know, attack guys,” Wacha said. “And, we stayed pretty much to our plan. Was able to stay on the attack with that score difference, and it ended up being a fun night.”
The Royals improved to 68-55. They also recorded their 30th road win and third consecutive on the current trip.
The Reds scored one run — a Jeimer Candelario solo homer — and dropped to 60-63. Lodolo took his fifth loss as he allowed eight earned runs in 2 1/3 innings.
Missed previous Royals coverage?
Game 1: Bobby Witt Jr. reaches milestone in Royals victory over Reds
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Here are more notables from Saturday’s game:
Dairon Blanco: By The Numbers
How impressive was Blanco’s career night? Here is a look at some additional numbers.
Blanco became the first Royal to record a seven-RBI game since Omar Infante on Sept. 17, 2015, against the Cleveland Guardians. He finished two RBIs shy of the Royals’ single-game record held by Mike Moustakas (nine RBIs).
“Really cool for him,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “I mean, we know he doesn’t get a ton of at-bats, but he is ready to go any time he gets in there.”
Additionally, Blanco hit the 144th grand slam in Royals history. He follows teammate Bobby Witt Jr. as the latest Royal to achieve the feat. Witt hit a grand slam against the Chicago White Sox on July 29.
“It’s all about sticking with your routine throughout the day no matter what,” Blanco said.
Blanco also helped the Royals match a season high in runs. KC also scored 13 runs on April 11 against the Houston Astros.
Hunter Renfroe snaps hitless streak
Royals outfielder Hunter Renfroe has endured a tough August. The veteran slugger entered Saturday mired in a 0-for-24 slump.
After two at-bats and a walk, Renfroe broke out of his cold spell. He laced a single in the fifth inning and later added a leadoff double in his next plate appearance.
“We’re really happy for him,” Quatraro said. “He knows he has been working. He has really been grinding in the cage and in BP, and we knew it was going to come. He is too good of a player. He’s a major-league player for a long time for a reason.”
Renfroe accounted for two of the Royals’ 15 hits on the night.
What’s next on the KC Royals schedule?
The Royals conclude their weekend series against the Reds. On Sunday, Royals right-hander Brady Singer will start at Great American Ball Park.
Singer (8-8) owns a 3.32 ERA, which ranks 10th in the American League. Meanwhile, he has received 17 runs of support in his last four starts.
The Reds will start Andrew Abbott (10-9, 3.59 ERA). First pitch is set for 12:40 p.m. Central.
This story was originally published August 17, 2024 at 8:28 PM.
