By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The Kansas City Royals kept up with the Cleveland Guardians in the hit column, getting outhit nine to six, but could not produce the runs they needed to win, ultimately falling 7-2 on Saturday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium.
After the Guardians took the lead in the top of the first when Josh Naylor doubled to score Steven Kwan, Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino would tie the game up hitting a solo home run to right center field. Kansas City would go on to take the lead in the second inning on a Michael Massey solo shot.
But two runs from the Guardians in the fourth inning, and another three in the fifth inning, were to much for the Royals to overcome as starting pitcher Cole Ragans struggled, striking out six batters but giving up five runs on six hits.
Cleveland would score their final run in the seventh inning off reliever Will Smith, a solo home run from Jose Ramirez.
The loss snaps a three game winning streak for the Royals and pushes them eight games back of the Guardians who sit at the top of the AL Central.
The series finale between the Royals and Guardians will be on Sunday, Kansas City searching for their 14th series win of the year. Seth Lugo is scheduled to start for the Royals while Logan Allen will take the mound for Cleveland. First pitch is at 1:10pm with pregame at 12:30 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).