Kansas City Royals trim magic number to 3 after Wednesday’s win over Nationals
The Kansas City Royals are slowly coming out of their offensive funk.
And their pitching is making a statement, too.
After snapping a 27-inning scoreless streak on Tuesday, the Royals strung together three runs in Wednesday’s shutout win over the Washington Nationals.
Royals shortstop Michael Massey laced an RBI single in the third inning. Later, designated hitter Robbie Grossman recorded a two-run single.
It was KC’s most runs scored since Friday against the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium.
“Just unfortunately, we kind of as a team all got cold at the same time,” Massey said. “But we’ll come through. We have been doing it all year. I feel like we’ve had good approaches and just got to stay with it.”
The runs propelled the Royals closer to the MLB postseason. KC improved to 84-74 and trimmed its magic number to three games. Any combined number of wins and Minnesota Twins losses will help the Royals clinch a playoff spot.
The Nationals fell to 69-89.
KC held Washington to two hits. It was a strong effort from the Royals bullpen to cover 6 ⅔ innings after veteran starter Michael Lorenzen exited due to injury.
“He felt a little fatigued,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He didn’t want to push through and try to do more than he could and get hurt again.”
Left-handed reliever Daniel Lynch IV pitched 2 ⅔ scoreless frames. He allowed two hits to Nationals shortstop Nasim Nuñez and outfielder James Wood.
The Royals have now tossed 26 consecutive scoreless innings. It sets a new record that was previously set in 1976 and 2015 (24 innings).
“I think we have a lot of really reliable guys that just go and do their job, throw strikes and attack guys,” Lynch said. “It’s never easy but it makes our job a lot easier. You know, it puts us in good positions.”
Lynch earned his second win of the season. Closer Lucas Erceg pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record his 13 save.
Missed previous games of the series?
Game 1: Royals snap 7-game losing streak with extra-inning win over Nationals
Fall Ball: KC top prospect Jac Caglianone among Royals to play in Arizona Fall League
Here are more notables from Wednesday’s game:
Michael Lorenzen exits with injury
The Royals took a cautious approach in the third inning. On Wednesday, Lorenzen left his start with lower body fatigue.
Lorenzen, who returned from the 15-day injured list, was sidelined with a left hamstring strain. He motioned to the Royals dugout that he needed attention while Nuñez was batting at the plate.
“I felt great to be honest,” Lorenzen said. “My delivery felt great and my stuff felt great. So I’m really happy about that. I could tell my leg reached it’s limit and I didn’t want to push it. You know, we are so close to getting where we want to be. I feel like the value of me being available for that is more important than me trying to push through something.”
Quatraro and head trainer Kyle Turner headed out to the mound. The club already had Lynch warming in the bullpen, so the decision was made to take Lorenzen out.
“I could tell that it’s at its end for the day,” Lorenzen said. “So we just called it a day and live to fight another one.”
Lorenzen mentioned on Tuesday that he felt fine while rehabbing his hamstring. He threw 28 pitches and recorded two strikeouts in his short outing.
What’s next on the KC Royals’ schedule:
The Royals conclude the three-game series on Thursday afternoon. KC right-hander Michael Wacha will look for his 14th victory of the season.
Wacha owns a 3.28 ERA in 29 starts. He is one of four pitchers with at least 13 wins in the last two seasons, joining Zach Wheeler, George Kirby and Zac Gallen.
The Nationals are scheduled to start veteran left-hander Patrick Corbin. He is 6-13 with a 5.58 ERA this season.
This story was originally published September 25, 2024 at 8:13 PM.
