The Baltimore Orioles posed a significant challenge for the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium over the weekend. Throughout the three-game series, the Orioles showcased their well-rounded offensive capabilities, and the Royals demonstrated they were up to the challenge… until Sunday. The Royals emerged victorious in Friday’s game and came close to securing a series win on Saturday night. However, their opponents from the American League East delivered the decisive blow with a 5-0 win in the series’ Sunday afternoon finale.
“We aim to reach a point where we’re testing other teams as well, and it’s not just a litmus test for us,” stated Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. “But right now, I understand that it definitely is. We’ve got to do a better job against the top half of the league.”
The Orioles (14-7) managed nine hits against Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo, including back-to-back home runs — the first allowed by Lugo this season — in the third inning. It marked Lugo’s first loss of the year. He pitched 5 1/3 innings but didn’t have his best command.
“I feel like I made two or three mistakes, a couple physical and one mental, but I felt like I made some good pitches,” Lugo said. “I hope for better results next time.”
Meanwhile, the Royals were shut out by Orioles starter Cole Irvin. He allowed four hits over 6 2/3 innings for this first win of the season.
Bobby Witt Jr., the shortstop for Kansas City, went 1-for-4, while Pasquantino continued his 10-game hitting run. Pasquantino praised Irvin for his skill in running the sinker across the plate and setting it up with other pitches. He performed admirably today, keeping us off-balance. You know, give him a little nod. The Royals dropped to 13-9 and will host the Toronto Blue Jays for a four-game home series starting on Monday.
Here are more notable aspects of Sunday’s game:
In the fifth start, Seth Lugo falters
All afternoon, Lugo was subjected to strong contact from the Orioles. He gave up back-to-back home runs to Jordan Westburg and Colton Cowser in the third inning.
The two solo homers, which travelled 430 and 433 feet, respectively, gave Baltimore a 2-0 lead. It was each player’s fifth home run. Cowser’s home shot had an exit velocity off the bat of 111.5 mph, according to Baseball Savant.
“With the two home runs there, he got hurt,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro stated. “Those guys did damage with those pitches that leaked back over the middle of the plate.”
Out of 99 pitches, Lugo delivered 60 strikes. Still, he only produced nine whiffs in his stint. His 4 -seam fastball and sinker were effective against the Orioles; Westburg, for example, hit a home run on a 92.4 sinker left over the middle.
Lugo was removed in the sixth inning by Angel Zerpa. For the first time this season, Lugo, who came into the game with a 1.05 ERA, was unable to earn a quality start. Lugo expressed his disappointment at not being able to complete the inning. That was my intention for the day. Specifically following yesterday, the goal was to complete the sixth.
ROYALS MISS A LATE CHANCE TO SCORE
The Royals had their chances to stage a victory. After a leadoff walk by Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia, the Orioles reliever Danny Coulombe allowed Pasquantino to single, advancing Garcia to third base. Salvador Perez, the captain of the Royals, was now ready to take the plate.
Perez, who was hitting.342 going into Sunday’s game, had a chance to get the Royals within a run. Against Coulombe, he faced six pitches before being ruled out on strikes for the inning’s second out. The Royals’ danger was ended when outfielder Nelson Velazquez was called upon to pinch-hit, but he also struck out. KC might have scored, but in the ninth inning, the Orioles added an insurance run. Quatraro stated, “There were a few opportunities there that we just didn’t capitalise on.” “But, in general, you have to give credit to the team when they shut you out.”We were unable to perform (today). However, the remaining games featured intense competition.
WHAT’S UP NEXT FOR THE KC ROYALS?
On Monday night, the Royals and Toronto Blue Jays will play the first game in a four-game series. At Kauffman Stadium, pitcher Brady Singer will face Blue Jays southpaw Yusei Kikuchi from the starting position. Singer has made four starts this season and has a 2-0 record with a 1.54 ERA. The teams will play each other for the first time this season. The Royals have lost six of the last seven games played by the Blue Jays.