Here’s who played role of heroes in Kansas City Royals’ series-ending win at Reds
Kansas City Royals outfielder Dairon Blanco held an encore performance at the Great American Ball Park on Sunday afternoon.
Blanco, who blasted two home runs Saturday night, propelled the Royals to an 8-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, helping KC complete a series sweep.
And he did so with a medley of hits.
Blanco finished 2-for-3 with another home run and a stolen base. It was his third homer of the series — all hit with a crayon-inspired bat — and fourth of the year.
“Yeah, it’s a good bat,” Blanco said via an interpreter. “It felt really good since I grabbed it from the very first time. Batting practice felt great and the grip felt great.”
Outscoring the Reds 28-3 in this series, the Royals improved to 69-55 and climbed further up the American League Central standings.
“I think we did a good running the bases and I think we played solidly on defense,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “So, it was more or less well-rounded. You can’t argue with the results.”
The Royals are three games behind the Cleveland Guardians for first place in the division. The Guardians have lost three consecutive games after losing to the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday.
Royals starting pitcher Brady Singer also held a featured role on Sunday. He tossed six shutout innings. He allowed five hits and one walk and struck out six to earn his ninth win of the season.
The Reds threatened Singer early. After a 45-minute rain delay, Cincinnati had runners on first and third with one out. However, Singer avoided trouble by striking out Will Benson and Luke Maile to end the second inning.
“Little different than normal there with the rain delay,” Singer said. “Just tried to stay as loose as I can and tried to stay locked in during that time. I was able to throw some and stay warm. Just kind of went out there and battled around some traffic in the second and the third. After that, I felt locked in and ready to go.”
The Royals’ pitching staff was superb all series long against the Reds (60-64). KC recorded its eighth sweep and improved to 31-30 in road games.
Missed previous games of the series?
Game 1: Bobby Witt Jr. reaches milestone in Royals victory over Reds
Game 2: Dairon Blanco has career night with 2 homers, 7 RBIs against Reds
Here are more notable aspects of Sunday’s game:
Lucas Erceg cleans up bases-loaded jam
The Royals needed a strikeout in the seventh inning.
Left-handed reliever Sam Long loaded the bases with three straight walks. With the heart of the Reds’ lineup lurking, Quatraro turned to newly acquired high-leverage ace Lucas Erceg.
“He has spoiled us here in his first several outings with us,” Quatraro said. “He’s left no reason to doubt anything he does. He is efficient. He comes right after the best hitters, goes after them and gets big outs.”
Erceg faced Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer with the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate. But he didn’t just get one strikeout, he got two — in thrilling fashion.
First, he caught De La Cruz looking at a called 90.6 mph changeup at the knees. And Steer swung through an 86.5 mph slider to conclude an eight-pitch at-bat.
“It was a big situation, I think the biggest in the game,” Erceg said. “So for me to be able to do my job today and do my my part to help win a ballgame, it means the world.”
The Reds scored just one run in the frame. Erceg had shut the door.
Royals’ offense continues to roll
While Blanco commands deserved praise for his hitting over the weekend weekend, the Royals’ offense was potent overall all series against the Reds.
On Sunday, KC manufactured a couple of runs against Reds starting pitcher Andrew Abbott. Salvador Perez and Vinnie Pasquantino each had sacrifice flies.
Pasquantino added an RBI single in the third inning. He now has 92 RBIs, fourth most in the majors.
“They don’t take any at-bats off and they don’t take anything for granted,” Quatraro said of his offense.
The Royals scored four insurance runs in the top of the ninth. Outfielders Garrett Hampson and Kyle Isbel added RBIs, and Witt became the second-youngest Royal to 500 career hits with an RBI single.
The Royals now have three players with 80 or more RBIs this season: Pasquantino, Perez and Witt. And all are on pace to record 100. The Royals haven’t had a trio reach that milestone since 2000.
“It was a huge weekend,” Singer said. “Really, really fun to watch that.”
What’s next on the KC Royals’ schedule?
The Royals return to Kauffman Stadium on Monday night. KC will welcome the Los Angeles Angels for a three-game series in KC.
All-Star pitcher Seth Lugo is scheduled to start for the Royals in the series opener. The veteran right-hander is 13-7 with a 3.04 ERA this season. He’ll be looking to rebound from his last start, in which he allowed eight runs against the Minnesota Twins.
The Angels will start Carson Fulmer. He is 0-3 with a 4.22 ERA.
This story was originally published August 18, 2024 at 4:24 PM.
