Kansas City, MO. - The Kansas City Royals have come out of their skid in their last few games in exciting fashion. They are currently sitting at 13 games above the .500 mark and only three games back in the division race to the Cleveland Guardians. The Royals picked up back-to-back home wins against the Mariners in recent days while utilizing the back end of their bullpen. If the Royals can win this contest today they will go into the New York series down a maximum of three games with Seth Lugo and Brady Singer ready to go.
Kansas City has been propelled by timely at-bats in recent games, allowing them to overcome defecits and pull themselves away when ahead. It will be much easier for the Royals to win if they're not allowing over six runs per game this series obviously, but the fact that the Royals have shown the ability to win games even when the pitching staff has off nights is huge for the team. The offense will have to continue tonight if the Royals want a chance to pull one game closer to the division lead.
4:15 p.m. - The Royals magic falls just short as they record three straight outs to end the game. The Royals had a chance down to the very end and gave it their all. The bullpen came up short and it was too much for the bats to overcome this time. The Royals can not be a truly elite team until they get their bullpen under control. 6-5 Mariners
4:10 p.m. - The Royals aren't done yet. Hunter Renfroe comes in and clobbers a two-run shot to give the Royals some life. Kyle Isbel would follow up with a single before getting pulled by Dairon Blanco as a pinch runner. Kansas City now has elite speed on first base only down a single run with no outs. 6-5 Mariners
3:55 p.m. - James McArthur got two outs without allowing the runner from second to score. He would follow that up with a walk and a Julio Rodriguez single. Mitch Garver would then draw a walk before Cal Raleigh brought two more across the with a single. James McArthur looked prime to hold the Mariners before collapsing late. 6-3 Mariners
3:40 p.m. - The Royals have done it again! Nick Loftin doubles with two outs in the bottom of the nigh before MJ Melendez takes the first pitch over 430 feet to knot the game. The Royals are never out of a contest and prove that time and time again. 3-3
3:13 p.m. - The Royals fail again to put runs on the board, leaving them in a bad spot going forward. You can never count the Royals out but they need to make something happen quick. 3-1 Mariners
2:53 p.m. - After almost turning a double play, the Mariners shoot out ahead after a double by Tyler Locklear drives in the runner from first. A run should not have scored on that play but Kyle Isbel stumbled and Renfroe had to gather it off the wall. Another defensive miscue by Isbel costs the Royals a run, and it's not the first time this season it's happened. Will Klein then allowed another single to a pinch-hitting Josh Rojas and the Mariners again extend their lead. 3-1 Mariners
2:45 p.m. - After an infield single Bobby Witt Jr now has a hitting streak of 10 straight games. That is his second hit streak of at least 10 games this season. It would be hard to find a player in baseball that has had a significantly better season that Witt Jr thus far. 1-1
2:40 p.m. - Cole Ragans caps his day with a big time strikeout of Mitch Garver to end the inning, stranding a runner on second base. Ragans threw a season high 107 pitches through six innings and only allowed a single run while striking out nine total batters. Ragans performed spectacularly today, especially after he could have easily been rattled by the early homer. Another impressive outing at home for Kansas City starting pitching. 1-1
2:34 p.m. - J.P. Crawford has been all over the Royals today, putting solid contact on the baseball every time at the plate. Thankfully for the Royals, Hunter Renfroe tracked the ball down and made a wonderful play in right field to retire Crawford for the first time. 1-1
2:28 p.m. - Speaking of hit streaks, Hunter Renfore pushes his own hit streak to nine games consecutive and drives Fermin to third base on a single. Kyle Isbel would come to the plate and drive Fermin home on a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt that gave the Mariners no chance at a play. 1-1
2:26 p.m. - Freddy Fermin's one out single improves his home game hitting streak to nine contests. He has been a very solid weapon for the Royals at the plate in recent series. 1-0 Mariners
2:21 p.m. - The Mariners finally got a runner to second base, but it didn't matter too much. Cole Ragans retired three straight batters after allowing a walk to keep the Mariners lead at one. The Royals still have plenty of time left in this game to make something happen, but you never want to wait until it's more stressful than need be. 1-0 Mariners
2:03 p.m. - There hasn't been a baserunner to reach second base since the bottom of the first inning. Both pitchers have been excellent so far. Ragans has gotten through four innings with a solid pace of just 64 total pitches. The Royals will be hoping he can continue to eat up innings so they can keep their bullpen arms as fresh as possible ahead of some tough upcoming series. 1-0 Mariners
1:44 p.m. - Both pitchers have been almost spotless outside of a single at-bat on each side as two zeros go on the scoreboard for the second inning. Kansas City has not been too pleased with the home umpire on a couple strike three calls through this game so far. 1-0 Mariners
1:30 p.m. - Salvador Perez got caught looking at a ball in the top of the zone for strike and out number three. It looked like Perez disagreed with the call, but it was the right one. Kirby strands Pasquantino at third. 1-0 Mariners
1:27 p.m. - Vinnie Pasquantino was seeing the ball well in that at-bat, coming just feet from a home run before the ball sliced foul before hammering a ball into the gap for a two-out triple. 1-0 Mariners
1:19 p.m. - Cole Ragans responds to giving up a home run by striking out the next three batters in order. Ragans still has a chance to make this a great start if he can reign it in and get back on track in upcoming innings. 1-0 Mariners
1:15 p.m. - The game is underway here as J.P. Crawford hits a home run in the first at bat of the game for the second time in the last two games. Royals just can't get a break early in this series. 1-0 Mariners
How to watch:
Where:Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO.
When:First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. CT.
TV:You can watch the game on Bally Sports KC or MLB.TV (blackouts may apply depending on location).
Starting Pitchers
KC- Cole Ragans (4-4, 3.21 ERA)
SEA - George Kirby (5-5, 4.05 ERA)
Batting Order/Lineup
KC: 1. Maikel Garcia (3B) 2. Bobby Witt Jr. (SS) 3. Vinnie Pasquantino (1B) 4. Salvador Perez (DH) 5. Nick Loftin (2B) 6. MJ Melendez (LF) 7. Freddy Fermin (C) 8. Hunter Renfroe (RF) 9. Kyle Isbel (CF)
SEA:1. J.P. Crawford (SS) 2. Dylan Moore (3B) 3. Julio Rodriguez (CF) 4. Mitch Garver (C) 5. Cal Raleigh (DH) 6. Mitch Haniger (RF) 7. Tyler Locklear (1B) 8. Victor Robles (LF) 9. Ryan Bliss (2B)
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