By MATT PIKE
The Kansas City Royals were swept by the New York Yankees, falling 7-0 in the series finale at Yankee Stadium. It was a poor offensive effort overall again in the series, as Kansas City was outscored 24-6, and surrendered nine home runs to the Yankees through three games.
The Royals fell behind in the first inning after Aaron Judge's two run home run scored himself along with Ben Rice, after Rice had a leadoff walk to start the bottom of the first. After Cody Bellinger walked with no outs still, Kansas City starter Cole Ragans struck out Paul Goldschmidt for the first out, but then issued back-to-back walks to Trent Grisham and Ahmed Rosario loading the bases. A sacrifice fly by Austin Wells made it 3-0 at the end of one inning.
In the second inning New York added one more run as Rice hit his eighth home run of the season, and his third of the series, to extend the lead. In the fifth inning, after Bellinger led the frame off with a double and Goldschmidt walked, Grisham hit his third home run of the season to make the score 7-0.
Cole Ragans fell to 0-4 on the season, pitching 4.1 innings and giving up all seven runs on just four hits, walking eight batters while striking out six. t the plate, Bobby Witt Jr was 2-for-3 with a double and a walk. Recently called up from Triple A Omaha, Elias Díaz was also 2-for-3 with a double. Kansas City was 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
The Royals return to Kauffman Stadium tomorrow to take on the Baltimore Orioles. Seth Lugo (1-1, 1.48 ERA, 21K's) is set to take the mound for Kansas City against Kyle Bradish (1-2, 5.49 ERA, 21K's) for the Orioles. First pitch is at 6:40pm, with pregame beginning at 6 on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
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