Royals got strong pitching performance vs. Phillies. It bodes well for the future
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- Luinder Avila allowed one run on three hits and recorded four strikeouts in the start.
- Avila retired Philadelphia’s Turner, Schwarber and Harper in order in the first inning.
- Daniel Lynch IV and Alex Lange finished the game with scoreless frames.
Luinder Avila faced one of the biggest challenges of his young career Sunday afternoon.
The Kansas City Royals right-hander matched up against the red-hot Philadelphia Phillies. And Sunday’s lineup was chock-full of All-Star talent with Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh.
It was a daunting task. However, Avila held his own against the Phillies in the Royals’ 5-2 victory at Kauffman Stadium.
Avila allowed one run on three hits and registered four strikeouts. In the first inning, Avila retired Turner, Schwarber and Harper in order. And he did so on 15 pitches as both Schwarber and Harper struck out.
Schwarber, who leads the majors with 30 home runs, swung through a 97.1 mph fastball that clipped the inside corner of the strike zone. And Harper was caught looking at a perfectly-placed 87.9 mph slider to end the inning.
Avila bounced off the mound with confidence. He carried it throughout his start as the Phillies foursome went 0-for-8 against him.
Philadelphia manufactured its first run in the fifth inning. Bryson Stott hit a one-out triple and Gabriel Rincones Jr. added an RBI single.
Yet Avila wasn’t rattled by the run. He retired Justin Crawford and Garrett Stubbs to finish his afternoon.
The Royals went to their bullpen with Avila at 69 pitches. The club didn’t allow the Phillies to get a third look at him with a slim lead.
Royals manager Matt Quatraro went to left-hander Matt Strahm in the sixth. The former Phillies reliever retired his old teammates in succession. The Phillies would add an unearned run in the seventh inning off right-hander John Schreiber.
Stubbs recorded an RBI on a fielder’s choice. Stott scored after Josh Rojas’ defensive error earlier in the inning.
The Royals’ offense found a way to cover the fielding mistake. The club jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning behind two-out RBIs from Lane Thomas and Michael Massey against Phillies starter Aaron Nola.
Then, in the fifth inning, Jac Caglianone drove home Isaac Collins with a sacrifice fly to shallow center.
Collins, who doubled to begin the frame, had a good read and scored ahead of the throw from Phillies outfielder Justin Crawford.
The third run was crucial. It allowed the Royals to maintain their late lead as the Phillies charged back down the stretch. A few defensive plays kept Philadelphia off the scoreboard — including nice running grabs from both Collins and Thomas.
And in the eighth, Royals captain Salvador Perez added key insurance runs on a two-run double; both Bobby Witt Jr. and Thomas scored.
The Royals turned to high-leverage relievers Daniel Lynch IV and Alex Lange to finish the game. And both delivered with scoreless frames as the Royals snapped a four-game losing streak.
Lange earned his eighth save since taking over the closer role. Both teams will now look to win the series Monday afternoon.
What’s next: Royals left-handed pitcher Noah Cameron (4-6, 4.95 ERA) will start Monday’s series finale against Philadelphia All-Star lefty Cristopher Sanchez (10-3, 2.00 ERA). First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. Central.
