By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The Kansas City Royals offense exploded once again on Sunday and secured a series sweep over the Cincinnati Reds, winning 8-1 at Great American Ballpark.
Throughout the three game series the Royals outscored the Reds 28-3. Kanas City's starting pitchers alone pitched a combined 17.2 innings, giving up just one run and 11 hits, while striking out 18 batters.
The scoring in the series finale on Sunday got started in the third inning. A single from Vinnie Pasquantino scored Dairon Blanco. Later in the inning a Salvador Perez sacrifice fly would bring home Bobby Witt Jr giving the Royals the 2-0 lead.
Blanco would continue his hot series in the fifth inning. After blasting two home runs, including his first career grand slam on Saturday, Blanco would hit another home run to center field. On the series Blanco was 6 for 8 with three home runs and eight RBI's.
Pasquantino would extend the lead in the fifth on a sacrifice fly to drive in Maikel Garcia.
Earlier in the game rain delayed the Royals for about 45 minutes, and the rain began to fall in the seventh inning, giving Kansas City's pitchers some trouble. A bases loaded walk from reliever Sam Long to Jonathan India would bring home the lone Reds run. Lucas Erceg came on to escape the bases loaded jam.
The Royals would tack on their final four runs in the ninth inning. MJ Melendez, pinch hitting for Garrett Hampson, singled to score Freddy Fermin. Kyle Isbel, who came on for Blanco, would double scoring Adam Frazier.
Singles from Witt Jr and Pasquantino would score Isbel and Garcia to cap the scoring in the frame.
Starting pitcher Brady Singer pitched six scoreless innings, striking out six and giving up five hits. Michael Massey led all hitters going 3 for 4 in the game.
The Royals now return to Kauffman Stadium for a six game homestand, starting with the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. Seth Lugo is scheduled to start against Carson Fulmer. First pitch is at 7:10pm with a 6:30 pregame on KFEQ.