CHICAGO (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. hit a go-ahead home run and Cole Ragans pitched six effective innings to help the Kansas City Royals end a three-game skid with a 4-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday.
Ragans (4-4) struck out nine while allowing eight hits and all three Chicago runs. He struck out three straight batters to end his final inning.
The Cubs started the day 2 1/2 games behind Milwaukee in the NL Central standings and missed a chance to creep closer after striking out 13 times. Carlos Hernández, the last of four Royals relievers, pitched the ninth for his second save in five chances.
Jameson Taillon (7-8) was charged with two earned runs after allowing six hits and striking out three in the first six innings. Kansas City’s Matt Duffy reached on an error to start the sixth before Witt knocked his 24th homer of the season into center field.
The Royals took the lead in the third on Kyle Isbel’s RBI single and got another run an inning later on Salvador Perez’s sacrifice fly.
The Cubs answered with a three-run, five-hit fourth that included RBI singles from Jeimer Candelario and Christopher Morel.
IT GOT A LITTLE LOUD
Fans enjoyed more than just a mild, sunny afternoon on Chicago’s north side. Fighter jets and other military aircraft buzzed across the sky near Wrigley Field throughout the afternoon as pilots practiced for this weekend’s annual Chicago Air and Water Show.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: 3B Maikel Garcia left the game in the middle of the fourth with what the club called left upper body discomfort. ... RHP Taylor Clarke (elbow inflammation) was activated from the 15-day injured list before the game. RHP Max Castillo was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday. ... INF Nick Pratto (left groin strain) made his first rehab appearance at Omaha on Thursday. He’s been on the 10-day injured list since July 28.
UP NEXT
Royals RHP Brady Singer (8-8, 4.91) faces Cubs LHP Justin Steele (13-3, 2.79) on Saturday.
