Kansas City Royals pounce on former KC playoff hero Cueto, beat Angels in series
Entering Wednesday evening’s series finale against the Los Angeles Angels at Kauffman Stadium, the Kansas City Royals were 3-11 in games when clinching a series was possible.
KC manager Matt Quatraro was asked before first pitch if that statistic meant anything tangible.
“It’s a media talking point,” Quatraro said. “You look it up; it’s accurate, but we don’t approach any rubber game, second game or anything else any different than any other.”
Rubber game or not, and it was, the Royals then proceeded to earn a precious series victory with a 3-0 shutout of the Angels.
Center fielder Kyle Isbel doubled in the game’s first runs, taking L.A. starting pitcher — and former Royals postseason hero — Johnny Cueto to right field. Hunter Renfroe and Adam Frazier scored.
The score remained 2-0 until the bottom of the sixth inning, when MJ Melendez belted a home run to the right field. The ball hit the foul pole but stayed fair.
The Royals improved to 71-56 this season.
Here are some notable aspects of Wednesday’s game:
Starting pitchers’ duel
Both starting pitchers were excellent Wednesday.
Royals right-hander Michael Lorenzen allowed four hits and walked two. He threw 95 pitches and struck out five in seven innings.
“My tempo, my rhythm, was off to start,” he said. “I was rushing through a lot of stuff.
“Instead of hitting the panic button, you are just trying to problem-solve and figure out what’s off. I felt like I was able to figure it out, slow things out and slow my body a little bit.”
Cueto, meanwhile, was decent considering he’s 38 and hadn’t pitched in a major-league game since last September. He went 6 1/3 innings, allowing eight hits and three earned runs.
He threw 84 pitches, walking two and striking out one.
Missed previous Royals coverage?
Game 1: Royals begin homestand with 5-3 victory over Angels
Game 2: The KC Royals were looking to win their 6th straight. The Angels had other plans.
Closer look at the playoff picture
With Wednesday’s win, the Royals crept one game closer to the Cleveland Guardians (73-52) in the American League Central standings.
The Guardians hold a 2.5-game edge atop the division.
Cleveland didn’t play Wednesday. The Minnesota Twins (71-56) remain tied with the Royals in second place after beating the San Diego Padres.
The Royals maintain a 3.5-game lead on the Boston Red Sox (67-59) in the AL Wild Card race. Boston defeated the Houston Astros Wednesday.
Cueto feels the love
Royals fans didn’t forget about Cueto’s heroics in the 2015 World Series.
He received a standing ovation as he exited Wednesday evening’s game. In response, Cueto tipped his hat to the crowd.
“I was part of the 2015 World Series champs and I had to pitch the Game 5 or the deciding game,” Cueto said through an interpreter. “They know and recognize that. I feel grateful. Thank God. I love to pitch here and recognize what I did for the team.”
Up next for the Royals
After a day off Thursday, the Royals begin a home series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday.
KC’s Michael Wacha is scheduled to pitch against Philly’s Taijuan Walker.
This story was originally published August 21, 2024 at 9:37 PM.
