By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Vinnie Pasquantino blasted two home runs and the Royals extended their winning streak to four games, blowing out the Detroit Tigers 7-1 to open up a four game series.
The Royals took the early 3-0 lead in the first inning on Pasquantino's first home run of the game to right field, scoring Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr.
A sacrifice fly from Tigers first baseman Bligh Madris in the fourth inning would give Detroit their lone run of the game, scoring second baseman Colt Keith.
A single from Freddy Fermin in the seventh would drive in one more run, then in the eighth the Royals opened the door even more. After Bobby Witt Jr hit his 20th home run of the season to left center field, Pasquintino would hit his second blast of the evening, again to right field, to go back to back with Witt Jr and pushing the lead to 6-1.
Witt Jr drove in another run in the top of the ninth, an RBI double driving in Kyle Isbel for the final score of the game.
Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo pitched a gem, going eight innings and striking out three while giving up just the one run. Will Smith closed out the game, walking one batter but strking out two.
Game two of the series on Friday will pit two All Stars against each other as Cole Ragans takes the mound for Kansas City, facing off with Tigers lefty ace Tarik Skubal.
First pitch Friday is again at 5:40pm with pregame at 5 on KFEQ.