Royals fight back but can’t get the big hit, lose 6-5 to the Blue Jays
Lots of home runs in this one
Last year, the Royals lose this game big. This year, they still lost this game, but it was in a gutsy way. In both cases, it’s still an “L,” but there’s definite progress here. If the Royals were a definite contender, this would have been a more annoying evening. It’s still a little annoying, as the Royals were well within reach of this 6-5 loss to the Blue Jays, but hey. It’s competent baseball!
The Royals got out to a quick two-run lead in the first inning. Bobby Witt Jr. hit a line drive single and scored on a Nelson Velazquez double. After advancing to third base on a throwing error by Toronto, Velazquez scored on an infield hit by Michael Massey.
Unfortunately, Kansas City gave up that lead quickly. Jonathan Bowlan, freshly called up from the Omaha Storm Chasers to start in place of the injured Alec Marsh, did not have his pitches going and it showed. Bowlan walked Vladimir Gurerrero Jr. and left a hanging slider for Justin Turner, who hammered it into left field for a two-run home run. Turner hit another home run off Bowlan in the third inning—this time a sinker that didn’t sink—and then Danny Jansen hit a middle-middle fastball for the third home run allowed by Bowlan in the evening.
Overall, Bowlan couldn’t get through the third, as he left after walking Cavan Biggio and giving up a single to Isiah Kiner-Falefa. It wasn’t the best outing for Bowlan, but he did strike out three over the outing and showed some encouraging fastball velocity.
Kyle Isbel tried very hard to be the hero. He notched a single in the fourth inning to score Freddy Fermin, starting in place of Salvador Perez, a late lineup scratch. And in the sixth inning, he hit a home run to pull the Royals within one run.
Kyle Isbel pulls us within a run! pic.twitter.com/h0YsGAaGjl
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) April 30, 2024
Unfortunately, with so many innings to cover, the Royals bullpen made a valiant effort but couldn’t totally stop the bleeding. They struck out five Blue Jays against only one walk over 5.1 innings but Tyler Duffey and Nick Anderson gave up one run each.
The Royals clawed their way back late. In the eighth inning, Fermin hit his first home run of the season.
Freddy blasts his first of the season, and we're back within a run! pic.twitter.com/Ww5CqdFI3w
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) April 30, 2024
Then, in the ninth inning, things got really interesting. Maikel Garcia singled to lead off the inning, and he was replaced at first on a fielder’s choice from Witt. Vinnie Pasquantino lined out to make it two outs, and then Perez pinch batted for Velazquez. The Captain did his job, but his single only brought Witt to third base. Michael Massey struck out to end the game.
Kansas City stands at 17-13, losers of three straight, and are 11-12 against teams not named the Chicago White Sox. Hopefully they can turn it around to avoid a fourth consecutive loss, which they have thus far this year managed to dodge.