By MATT PIKE
For a second consecutive night, the New York Yankees got to a pitcher in the Royals starting rotation who was having a stellar start to his season, as New York won 6-3 at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday evening.
With the loss, the Royals are now 0-5 against the Yankees on the season, after losing all three games in the Bronx April 14-16th. New York remains the only team this season that has swept Kansas City, and has another shot at doing it tomorrow on their home turf.
With Kris Bubic on the mound for the Royals for the first time since June 1st against Detroit, it didn't look like he missed a beat through the first inning, going 1-2-3, but in the second inning the Yankees lineup got to the left hander for five runs to take a big lead early in the game.
After Cody Bellinger led off the inning with a triple and Jazz Chisolm Jr walked, Anthony Volpe grounded into a force out with Bellinger scoring while Chisolm was out at second. Trent Grisham grounded out for a second out, but then DJ LeMahieu walked and Austin Wells doubled, bringing home Volpe, before both LeMahieu and Wells scored on a single by Paul Goldschmidt, who moved to second on a throw home. Goldschmidt scored the final run of the inning on a single by Ben Rice.
In the seventh inning, with reliever Steven Cruz on the mound, the Yankees scored their final run behind yet another home run from Aaron Judge. The Royals finally started their comeback bid in the ninth inning, before falling short, scoring all three runs in the final frame. Two runs scored on a home run by Salvador Perez, scoring Vinnie Pasquantino who singled to open the inning. Nick Loftin scored the final run on a single by John Rave.
Bubic fell to 5-4 on the season, pitching his shortest outing of the season with 4 1/3 innings giving up five runs on six hits, striking out three and walking four. At the plate, Jonathan India was 2-for-4 with a walk to lead the way hitting. Perez was 1-for-4 with the home run and two RBIs.
Kansas City and New York wrap up their series tomorrow. Seth Lugo (3-5, 3.46 ERA) starts for the Royals against Will Warren (4-3, 5.34 ERA) for the Yankees. First pitch is at 6:40pm, pregame coverage starts at 6 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.